NEW Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has promised to give local youngsters a chance to make their name in the SPFL Premiership.

But he admits his first piority will be to keep the club in the top flight.

The former Queen of the South boss was named on Wednesday as the new Staggies gaffer, with Billy Dodds as his assistant. He took over in Dingwall with County pointless and at the foot of the league table.

Only 12 of his 28-man squad is Scottish, but the new man is keen to bring in more home-grown players.

Ahead of Saturday's visit of Motherwell, McIntyre said: "The lifeblood of any club is bringing through its own young players.

"I had them in my team at Queen of the South and at Dunfermline too. If you can get a local lad in the team it's fantastic for the area.

"First and foremost, they have to be good enough but they'll get an opportunity."

The 42-year-old gaffer added: "The short-term goal here is to get points on board. The goal is to keep our Premiership status.

"That is crucial. Every year you want to improve your place in the league."

McIntyre feels he has been given the perfect platform by the County chairman Roy MacGregor.

"I have always seen this as a community club," he said. "I've been blown away by the facilities here.

"They have a great set-up and a chairman who will give full backing to me and my staff. He wants to see the club progress. It's our job to try to achieve that."