JIM McINTYRE is amazed it took a SPFL Premiership club so long to wake up to the talents of Joe Cardle.

The new Ross County manager worked with the winger during his time at Dunfermline Athletic.

After spending last season at Raith Rovers, the Dingwall club swooped to sign Cardle this summer - and McIntyre believes a second tilt at the top flight is long overdue.

"Joe is a player who did fantastically well for me in the Premier League," he said.

"Like me, he's getting another crack at it - and he deserves it. He can definitely contribute a lot at this level.

"I think he was unlucky to drop a division, but football is all about opinions."