Ross County defender Scott Boyd is thrilled to be part of manager Jim McIntyre’s plans for the next two years after joining midfielder Michael Gardyne in signing two-year contracts with the Staggies.
Manager McIntyre released 15 players earlier this month, signalling his intention to reshape the Victoria Park squad.
Boyd has been with the Dingwall club since 2007, joining from Partick Thistle when the Highlanders were in the third-tier of Scottish football.
Along with recently released captain Richard Brittain, Boyd played a major part in County’s rise, helping the club reach its first Scottish Cup final in 2010, eventually losing 3-0 against Dundee United at Hampden Park.
Boyd was also instrumental in helping the Staggies win promotion to the top-flight for the first time, two years later.
The 28 year-old will be eligible for a testimonial if he sees out his latest contract, but his focus is on helping County improve on their latest finish of ninth in the Premiership.
Boyd said: “The manager wants to put his own stamp on the team. It’s a two or three year plan by the looks of things.
“I’m part of it now, so I want to help the club and the manager progress. Hopefully we can have a right good season next year.
“The manager has managed to tie up a couple of other players. He is looking to build something here.
“We had a good end to the season and we need to take that form into next season.
“We’ll go away and enjoy a couple of weeks off, and it’ll be back to focusing on football.
“Hopefully we can take the end of season form into next year.”
Gardyne has also pledged his future to the Staggies having spent the previous campaign on loan from Dundee United.
The 29-year-old was told there would be no new contract for him at Tannadice last month, with the Staggies moving quickly to sign him up.
It will be Gardyne’s fourth spell at the club, having initially joined on loan from Celtic in 2006.
Following an unsuccessful spell with Morton, Gardyne re-joined the Staggies permanently two years later.
Gardyne joined hometown club United in 2012, but despite an impressive first season with the Tangerines, he was farmed out to Kilmarnock the following campaign before last term’s stint with County.
Gardyne reckons he has been close to his best playing for McIntyre, and saw no reason to look elsewhere.
Gardyne said: “Last season was probably up there with my best form in the top-flight. It’s been nice to be involved in a lot of goals, and score some important ones as well.
“Just to stay up and get ninth place from where we were in December was massive.”