Ross County set high standards for themselves last season but Staggies midfielder Michael Gardyne is determined to rise to the task of delivering back-to-back top-six finishes for what would be the first time in the Dingwall club’s history.
County secured their first major silverware when they won the League Cup with a 2-1 victory against Hibernian at Hampden last March, with Jim McIntyre’s men making it a campaign to remember by clinching a top-half finish.
The Staggies are currently five points adrift of sixth-placed Partick Thistle with six matches remaining before the split, but they secured a timely boost in Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Hearts, which was their first league victory of 2017.
The Dingwall men are not in action this weekend, having been knocked out of the Scottish Cup, but Gardyne is eager to keep the momentum going when they return to face Kilmarnock at Victoria Park next Saturday.
The 31-year-old, who recently became County’s record appearance holder, said: “We have some big games coming up. The lads know what we need to do to get into the top six. That’s still not out of reach and it has got to be the aim.
“Most of the games before the split are against teams around us. I am looking forward to the rest of the season and for kicking on next year too.
“It was always going to be harder this season. After winning the League Cup and getting into the top six, it was always going to be tough to better that, but we do have a great bunch of lads and we are confident.
“There are some talented boys here. It’s a challenge and that’s what we want as footballers.”
The Staggies’ midweek victory at Tynecastle means they are now four points clear of the relegation play-off position. However, Gardyne says his side still has work to do before making sure of their top-flight safety.
He added: “It’s been so tight throughout the season, from the bottom up to top six, it’s incredible.
“There are six games until the split and we’re looking to pick up as many points as we can.
“We are definitely looking up, but the reality is that we have to look below as well.
“It’s so tight this season, so we’re not worried. We are looking forward to the games coming up.
“We know the lads we have here, the way we train and work and how hard the coaching staff off the pitch work on other teams.”