Del: Highland derbies will fire up both sides.

ROSS COUNTY boss Derek Adams is relishing the return of the Highland derbies this season.

Adams reckons having four league clashes with Inverness Caley Thistle in Division One will fire up his side and Terry Butcher's relegated outfit.

This will be the first time in five years the two clubs have been in the same division and both hope the fixture, which regularly attracted crowds of 5-6000, will again be a huge draw.

Adams said: "I do think the derbies will add a different dimension to the season. Fans will be drooling at the prospect.

"For many years, they haven't had that derby feeling in a truly competitive sense.

"It's good to have that back, both financially and in a football sense, although it's obviously disappointing that Inverness have come down a division given what it meant for the area. But we're just looking to progress and do well in these games.

"I've played in the fixture and in terms of the added competitive edge and the way that drives the players through the season it's no bad thing."

County will begin their preseason fixtures tomorrow at Huntly when fans will get the first chance to see close-season signings Michael McGovern, Paul Di Giacomo, Garry Wood, Iain Vigurs, Gary Miller and Stuart Kettlewell.

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DERBY BOOST: Adams