Ross County midfielder Rocco Quinn hopes Jim McIntyre and Billy Dodds stay long enough to reap the full rewards of their hard work in Dingwall after the management pair were linked with a return to Tannadice.

Ross County's start to the season - they sit fifth in the Ladbrokes Premiership - is sure to have made McIntyre a manager of interest in the Dundee United boardroom, although out-of-work bosses Stuart McCall and Mixu Paatelainen appear to be the front-runners to replace the sacked Jackie McNamara.

Former Dunfermline and Queen of the South boss McIntyre and assistant Dodds both played for United but they have been well-backed by County chairman Roy MacGregor.

And Quinn hopes they would continue their good work in the highlands even if United come calling.

"I would hope so because a lot of the work the people from outside don't see, the stuff at the training ground and the hours they are putting in, they are putting a lot of their time in County," the midfielder said.

"They are investing a lot of their own time in County, as we all are. As players we hope they stick around for many years to come, definitely.

"The turnaround since they have come in has been absolutely through the roof. They have brought a positivity and a feelgood factor back to the club when it was badly needing it.

"The job they have done so far has been nothing short of incredible. All the boys and I think, all the fans now as well really, are starting to appreciate what they are actually doing for the football club."

County have a Highland derby against Inverness at home on Saturday and Quinn wants no distractions, although United have still not confirmed the departure of McNamara with the legal process of his contract termination continuing.

Quinn said: "It's never nice when a manager loses his job but we can't let outside influence what we are doing and I'm sure the manager and Doddsy will be the same. We are fully focused on the game on Saturday."