Ross County’s fitness-first approach already winning over new signing Jack Turner
Summer signing from Woking, Jack Turner, is off the mark with his first Ross County goal and here he explains why he moved from England to the Highlands.
Jack Turner is relishing the high fitness demands of Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell as he settles into life in the Highlands.
The 23-year-old Englishman joined the now League One Staggies last month following his departure from English National League side Woking.
The former Southampton youth player has already tasted life north of the border, having spent two years in the Championship with Queen’s Park between 2023 and 2025 after leaving the Saints.
A central midfielder, with an attacking outlook, Turner played in County’s 5-1 warm-up win at Breedon Highland League side Forres Mechanics on Saturday.
He played the second half of Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Highland League hosts Clachnacuddin and netted the second goal, adding to the opener from another new arrival, Luke McCarvel.
A squad of 22 meant two different line-ups played a half each against Clach.
The Dingwall club, who have suffered two back-to-back relegations, are being revamped by Kettlewell, who rejoined the club at the midway point of last season.
‘The gaffer is trying to get us as fit as possible for when we play Annan’
Kettlewell, who led County to the 2018-2019 Championship title and Challenge Cup that term, has focused the minds on July 11 when their Premier Sports Cup group games get started.
And Turner reckons the hard graft will pay off when the real action begins.
He said: “It was hard. It was just our second game in pre-season, so I was feeling it in my legs afterwards, especially after the last three weeks.
“The gaffer has really put us through our paces, with double sessions which have been tough, but I’m really enjoying it.
“We know last season wasn’t good enough for the club, so this year the gaffer is trying to get us as fit as possible, so that we’re raring to go when we play Annan Athletic in the Premier Sports Cup, which is our first competitive game.
“The pre-season games are good, but they have nothing on the competitive games.
“We want to win now, but we also want to win even more come July 11.”
‘Everyone will be fighting for places’
Turner explained that joining a club which has been in the Premiership as recently as 2025 was an attraction for him as he considered his options this summer once he was released by Woking.
He said: “It was a big decision for me, especially in terms of location, having been down in England.
“I had a conversation with my family and decided this was the right move, given the size of the club.
“We’re now in League One and it’s a big project to try and improve the team.
“I’ve played 90 games in the Scottish Championship, so hopefully that experience will serve me well.
“We’re obviously in League One and we’ve got to focus on that. Hopefully we can have a successful season.
“The squad is looking really good. There is a lot of strength in depth. Everyone will be fighting for places, but that’s what you want.
“You know if you have a bad game you could be out, so if you have the jersey, you have to keep it.”
Turner aims to be a real goal threat
Over the two years he was with Queen’s Park, Turner scored 18 times, and he got off the mark with a headed goal on Tuesday.
He enjoyed his 45 minutes on the park against the Lilywhites.
He added: “Scoring goals is part of my game. It’s something I pride myself on. Hopefully there will be many more to come.
“I got lots of touches of the ball and we kept a clean sheet, so you can’t get much better.”
County will step up their preparations this Saturday when they take on newly-promoted Championship club, local rivals Caley Thistle at Clach’s Grant Street Park before next week playing a closed-door game away to Aberdeen.
[Source: Press and Journal]
