Jordan White feels history will reflect fondly on Ross County’s season once they get over the raw disappointment of missing out on a European place.
The Staggies were ruled out of contention for European qualification after Motherwell and Dundee United both capitalised on County’s 4-1 loss to Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday.
Malky Mackay’s side recovered from a slow start to the campaign, in which they failed to win any of their opening 10 matches.
And County had put themselves on track for a maiden Europa Conference League qualifying place after clinching a first top-six finish for the first time since 2016.
They will now finish sixth in the Premiership, however, forward White already has his eyes set on helping the Staggies build on it next season.
White said: “The boys are down, it’s really disappointing.
“We really felt we could have managed to get Europe, but it’s not to be.
“I think when we look back and reflect on things, where we have come from to where we are now, it’s positive.
“At the start of the season we were playing well but just not getting the results.
“We have come on leaps and bounds. We can only look to build on that.
“There are still lessons to be learned. Saturday (defeat to rivals Motherwell) was a really sore one for us, but we are not going to get too down about it.
“We have still had a really good season and we still want to go and finish on a high.
“It goes to show that if we can take that into next season, and start the season well, we’ve got a right chance.”
Forward pleased to reach career milestone
White briefly gave County hope when he netted at Ibrox to make it 2-1, before Rangers struck two late goals.
The strike was White’s 100th goal from open play in Scottish football across spells with County, Caley Thistle, Livingston, Stirling Albion and Clyde.
100th career ⚽️ for @jordanwhite4292 from open play in Scottish Football today.
⚽️ v 35 clubs ⚽️ in all 4 divisions. ⚽️in 3 cup competitions⚽️in cup final ⚽️ in playoffs ⚽️ for 5 clubs @RossCounty @ICTFC @LiviFCOfficial @Stirling_Albion @ClydeFC.👍💙— billy white (@billyw27) May 11, 2022
It means White has now scored in all four matches against the Gers this season, taking his tally to six for the campaign.
The 30-year-old added: “My dad has the stats down to a tee, but I think it’s 100 from open play as I have scored more than that.
“I think most of my goals have come against Rangers, so maybe if I play them in every game I will score more.
“It’s just a co-incidence, I have had the chances and thankfully they have come off.
“We got them into a position where we pressed well. We nicked the ball and it just opened up for me, and I caught it as well as I could have.”
Staggies will not allow season to fizzle out
County finish their campaign at home to Dundee United on Saturday, with United pushing to secure fourth spot.
White insists the Staggies have no intention of allowing their season to fizzle out.
He added: “We always want to finish well. There will be no holding back on Saturday, we want to go out on a high – especially in front of our own fans.
“The fans have been great. It comes with the interaction with the players and coaching staff, and everybody around the club.
“We are on a journey as we call it, and we want to keep moving that forward.”