Coyle comes to County with eyes on strengthening home form

Former Burnley and Blackburn manager Owen Coyle has been appointed Ross County manager.

County have moved quickly to replace Jim McIntyre, who was sacked on Monday, by naming Coyle as their new boss on a two-year contract.

The 51-year-old will be assisted by Sandy Stewart, his former Airdrie team-mate and long-time number two.

Speaking to MFR News, Coyle said: "As much as I've been away from Scottish football, I still speak to people on a regular basis in the game here, I mightn't have been physically present but you're still keeping in touch and watching all the games"

"There will be that freshness and getting back to grips with game, but it's a fantastic challenge and one I'm looking forward to"

Coyle had a brief spell on loan at County in the early 2000s, but says 17 years on the change is stratospheric.

"The stadium, the infrastructure, the training facilities - it's improved no end - it really is fantastic, but I've seen part of that when I've been back as manager of St Johnstone"

"The club has improved enormously on-and-off the field, but what we need to do now is to keep up that momentum and keep pitching to be the best that we can be"

Ross County find themselves a point off the foot of the Premiership and Saturday head to bottom of the league Kilmarnock.

It may be a bit early to talk about must-win matches, but Coyle hopes to start his tenure with a victory to ease any concerns Staggies fans may have.

But Coyle believes: "Every game is a huge game, but it's the same three points, as it will be next week. It's just that we look to get those points on the board as soon as possible