Ross County midfielder Michael Gardyne is determined to maintain the high standards set by manager Owen Coyle when the Staggies host Dundee today.
County have recorded three victories and two creditable draws away to St Johnstone and Hearts in the eight games since Coyle replaced Jim McIntyre in September.
Gardyne has been quick to notice Coyle’s constant barking of instructions from the touchline, but says the County manager’s eagerness to get the best out of his players has spread encouragement throughout the squad.
Gardyne said: “The new manager has been brilliant. He has come in and we’ve all seen what he’s like, he’s bubbly and so enthusiastic to the job.
“He’s all about standards being high. We have obviously set our own standards which have been quite high recently, so he’s all about keeping that going.
“When it hasn’t been good enough, whether it’s an episode in training or a part of the game, he definitely lets us know about it.
“It’s really good being on the other side of the pitch so I don’t hear him as he doesn’t stop through the full game but it’s always encouragement he seems to be shouting on.
“He’s always looking to help his team which is a great thing for us.
“We take things on board but it is hard because we’ve got all the lads shouting from one side of the pitch, and the manager from the other.
“It’s even just little silly things – if we’ve got the ball and we’ve lost it, we’ve to get on it again and be confident.
“He just breeds that confidence into us that. If we’ve lost possession of the ball, don’t be afraid to get on it again and try to make things happen.”
Gardyne insists his praise of Coyle is no slight on predecessor McIntyre, who was sacked by chairman Roy MacGregor following a poor start to the campaign.
Gardyne added: “I can’t say a bad word about the previous regime. I got on really well with Jim McIntyre and he was good for me.
“But I think it always happens when a new manager comes in. It just gives the place a lift, when fans might think it was a bit stale.
“He has done that, and the way he is on the touchline, the fans have taken to that. They can see what he’s trying to do here and what he’s trying to bring.”
County are only three points adrift of the top-half ahead of today’s visit of the Dark Blues, and Gardyne is aiming to keep his side in the mix.
The 31-year-old said: “We’ve picked up at home recently which has been good – and I thought we could maybe have nicked a point off Celtic as well.
“If we win this game it could propel us right up there. That’s always got to be the aim.
“There’s no point playing football thinking this is our job and looking down the way.
“We’ve got to be looking up and trying to better ourselves every week.”