ST MIRREN defender Jason Naismith has signed for Ross County with immediate effect. The full-back, who came through the ranks at the Paisley club, had previously penned a pre-contract agreement to move in the summer but will now join up with Jim McIntyre’s side for the second half of the campaign after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

Naismith, who can also play in central defence, made his St Mirren debut in 2012 and recently racked up his 100th appearance for the side. McIntyre was pleased to get the 22 year-old on board.

"We've been tracking Jason's progress for a while now and I'm delighted to secure his services on a permanent deal,” said the County manager. “He is an exciting young prospect and will be a great addition to the squad."

Naismith becomes the fifth St Mirren player to leave the club this month as manager Jack Ross looks to shake up his squad with Saints sitting bottom of the Championship, seven points from the play-off spot. Tom Walsh, Ryan Hardie and Lawrence Shankland’s loan spells have all come to an end, while Cal Gallagher was freed and subsequently signed for Dumbarton.

In have come midfielder Craig Storie on loan from Aberdeen, striker Rory Loy on loan from Dundee, Norwegian Pal Fjelde and Josh Todd from Dumbarton, with Ross still keen to add a few more bodies before the window closes. Naismith’s departure will allow Gary Irvine to return to his more natural position at right-back but Saints could still do with a left-back, a goalkeeper and extra bite in midfield.

With just 15 games of the season remaining, they are running out of time as they look to avoid dropping into the third tier of Scottish football for the first time in their history. But chairman Gordon Scott is remaining optimistic. “I've thought about relegation but I don't think it'll happen,” he said in an interview with Radio Clyde.

Scott, who led a community takeover of the club last summer, also pointed the finger at the former board for their negligence in allowing certain aspects of the stadium and training ground to fall into disrepair. He added: “We've inherited something rotten and we need to put it right.”