Jordan White believes he is in the best condition he has been in since joining Ross County nearly four years ago.
Forward White recently clocked up his 150th appearance for the Staggies, since being brought to Victoria Park by John Hughes in January 2021.
White, a former youth player at Dunfermline, gained momentum in his career with spells in the lower leagues with Stirling Albion and Livingston, before stints south of the border with Wrexham and Barrow.
A successful two-year spell at Caley Thistle provided the platform for White to earn his top-flight chance with Motherwell in 2020.
Although it did not work out for White at Fir Park, the Staggies came calling six months later and he has remained in Dingwall ever since.
With a tally of 33 goals in that period, White believes he is reaping the benefits of experience after being given his long-awaited Premiership breakthrough.
He said: “I feel good here. I probably feel in better shape than ever before.
“In terms of fitness-levels, and everything mentally – it’s the best I have felt.
“I will always work hard, it’s the biggest thing for me.
“With a lot of stuff, you work hard off the pitch to make it right on the pitch. I’m going to continue to do that, and whether I’m picked or not I will be there.
“I think sometimes in football, people get away from players having experience.
“Just because they are over 30, they are considered old.
“As long as you keep yourself right, and do the right things off the pitch to look after yourself, I think it’s good to have experience.”
Forward coming into his own with experience
White was named as the Staggies’ vice-captain ahead of the new season, with Connor Randall taking the skipper’s armband.
As one of the senior campaigners in County’s dressing room, 32-year-old White is eager to lead by example.
He added: “It’s something I’m grateful for. The club has been good to me, and I feel I have been good to the club as well.
“We want to get back to doing better in the league. That’s the bread and butter, and it’s something we want to improve on after the last two years.
“I know I can help other boys in the team drive forward, and try to put a standard in place that we don’t drop below.
“I think you need that in the dressing room.
“It’s not only me and Connor that have a voice. There are other boys who are vocal.
“When you’ve got that role, it’s important that you drive people forward.
“Sometimes it’s about pushing everybody each day to be the best.
“As much as I’m helping myself, hopefully I can help other people as well.”
Staggies must make amends with improved performance against Gers
White says Saturday’s game against Rangers at Hampden Park presents the Staggies with an opportunity to make amends, after they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Spartans in the Premier Sports Cup last weekend.
White added: “These things happen in football. We have been around long enough to know that you don’t want to be involved in that, but it has happened.
“There’s nothing we can do about it now. It’s over, it’s gone, and there’s no point in moaning about it now.
“We’ve got to look to get better every week no matter whether we win, lose or draw.
“It’s a big challenge on Saturday, and one we need to put right – especially with a better performance.
“One result doesn’t make you a bad team.
“It wasn’t good enough, but we’ve got to take the criticism for it on the chin.
“There’s no getting away from the fact we have had a good start, and we don’t want that to derail anything.
“It’s a big test coming up on Saturday, but one we are looking forward to.”
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