Added to the new faces who had been signed earlier in the window, it means McIntyre has a whole new potential starting 11 to choose from.

There were also departures as Glen Kamara brought forward his summer switch to Rangers, while Sofien Moussa, Ryan Inniss, Roarie Deacon, Kharl Madianga, Jean Mendy and Elton Ngwatala also headed for the exit.

But McIntyre is confident the changes he has made mean his side are now ready to battle it out in the scrap for safety.

McIntyre, whose side can move out of the relegation slots if they beat rivals Hamilton at the Hope Stadium on Saturday, said: "It's been a busy month and the January window is never easy but I'm really pleased with the additions we've made.

"I feel the squad now has a better balance about it and a far better depth too.

"That's so important as we do need to have an influence coming off the bench. So we've now got competition for places that we've lacked.

"We've signed some very good technical players. We've obviously gone for a more British-based squad and I'm looking forward to working with the guys.

"Everyone was given an opportunity when we arrived – whether it be in training or in matches – but it was up to them to take it.

"Then we had to take the decisions we felt were needed to take the club forward and get us out of the relegation battle we're in.

"There are no guarantees the changes we've made will do that but I'm confident we've got a better balance now.

"Right through the squad we've added players with good ability and a bit of steel about them. It's now my job to gel them together as quickly as I can."

Kamara had agreed to join Gers at the end of the season after agreeing a pre-contract but McIntyre felt it was best the Finland international did not hang around on Tayside.

The Light Blues have agreed to pay an undisclosed fee for the midfielder and McIntyre added: "Glen's head has been at Ibrox for a long time, so I think it was the right decision for both parties and we were happy to allow that to happen."

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