The board of Ross County FC has moved swiftly to fill the managerial vacancy at the club, appointing Jimmy Calderwood as manger until the end of the current season.

Jimmy started work immediately, taking first team training here at club this morning (Thursday 17 February 2011) before attending a news conference at Victoria Park, where his appointment was officially announced.

Ross County chairman, Roy MacGregor, said:  "This has been one of the toughest weeks I can remember in my long involvement with Ross County.  However, I am absolutely delighted that Jimmy has agreed to join us and has been able and very willing to get to work straight away.

"In Jimmy we have secured the services of a manager with a proven track record of success in the First Division as well as extensive experience of managing in the SPL and in the Netherlands.  We hope that his experience and motivational abilities will help the team rise to the very real challenges they face in the remainder of the season.

"As a full-time club, with an excellent youth development programme, remaining in the First Division is of paramount importance to us this season.  We do also have an Alba Cup Final still to look forward to.

"As a lifelong Ross County fan, I fully understand the frustration and disappointment our supporters have been feeling since the high of reaching the Scottish Cup final last season.  I hope our large and loyal support will join me, the board and everyone at the club in getting behind Jimmy and the players as they work to achieve the progress we all want to see."

Born in Govan, Jimmy Calderwood made 159 appearances for Birmingham City FC, before moving to the Netherlands, where he played for a number of clubs over a period of nearly 10 years.

His coaching and managerial career began in the Netherlands, where he latterly managed NEC Nijmegen.  Returning to Scotland, he spent five seasons at Dunfermline Athletic FC, leading the Fife side to the SPL in his first season in charge and to a fourth place finish in Scotland's top league in the 2003-04 season.  He managed Aberdeen FC between 2004 and 2009 and last season secured Kilmarnock FC's SPL status, before leaving the club in the summer.