Ross County manager Jim McIntyre says midfielder Ryan Dow’s new two-year contract is reward for his reaction to being dropped earlier in the season.
Dow yesterday agreed to extend his stay at Victoria Park until 2019, having made 23 appearances and scored one goal since joining in September following his departure from Dundee United.
The 25-year-old was recovering from a pelvic injury when he signed for the Dingwall club, which McIntyre reckons affected his form.
Dow went nearly three months without starting a game until the 1-1 draw at Hamilton Accies on April 8, and having kept his place in the side McIntyre was keen to keep him.
McIntyre said: “We took Ryan in when he had a major injury and got him back to full fitness.
“Our physio Kevin Bain deserves great credit for that because he struggled for the last couple of years, but he’s never had a problem with his injury since.
“Any player that does not get a pre-season is always playing catch-up.
“After joining a new club, a player can get fit and get a buzz by playing again, but then they can suffer a dip in form and level of performance.
“We were looking for better, performances dipped a little, so we tried to freshen things up with the squad.
“It’s about how players react to being left out as well and Andy has come back and is finishing the season really strongly.
“I feel there is more to come from him and it’s great to have him on board.
“We feel Ryan is at a good age, he’s a good footballer who can play in a couple of different positions, which gives us flexibility throughout the team and squad.
“He has also shown us loyalty as there were other options for him because he is a good player.”
Dow is hopeful the Staggies supporters have yet to see the best of him, and he added: “I’ve been speaking to the manager for a couple of weeks about the contract, so it’s good to finally get it signed so I can concentrate on the end of the season and then into the next couple of years.
“It’s good to finally get it done.
“I’ve enjoyed myself since I’ve been up here. I’ve been in and out of the team a bit, and I’d have liked to have played a little bit more, but that’s down to me as well.
“I’ve enjoyed the last couple of weeks, I feel like I’m coming back to where I was a couple of years ago in terms of sharpness and levels of performance.”