Billy Mckay wanted to re-sign with Ross County because the club’s co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson will give him a chance.
He made just four starts under Owen Coyle but the late-season arrival of the new managerial pair saw him given a run in the side and he wants to help lead the Staggies back to the top flight.
Mckay was the first of the squad to commit to staying with County after their relegation, signing a new one-year deal on reduced terms to stay in the Highlands.
Mckay said: “I met with the managers on Monday and straight away, they said they wanted to keep me. I’m settled up here and it would take quite a bit to move. I know some players will maybe wait around but I just wanted it done, to allow me to get away for the summer.
“It’s been a tough couple of years and I just wanted to get back enjoying my football. I want to take the club back up. These managers rate me as a player and I’m going to have a good chance to play. It was frustrating before that – I had four starts all season when I felt like the way I trained, I deserved more of a chance.
“When the new managers came in, I scored in their first game and they’ve given me a chance. I was getting back towards my best at the end of the season.”
After four relegations on the bounce, the former Caley Thistle player is keen to arrest a frustrating a trend. Mckay has suffered the drop at Wigan, Dundee United, Inverness and now County, with the latest one affecting him most.
He said: “I don’t think you can get used to it. I’ve been in different situations with every relegation; I had just joined Wigan, I didn’t really play and they changed managers. At Dundee United and Inverness I was on loan – I was only at Inverness for three months. This is the one that’s affected me most, as I’m signed here. It hit my hard, on and off the pitch.
“It’s not been the best few years and hopefully I can be part of a team coming up. For me, the target has to be promotion and to put behind the last few years, and to have a good season personally.”
County co-manager Ferguson is pleased Mckay made a swift decision to re-sign for their first season back in the Championship.
Ferguson said: “Stuart and I both felt Billy did exceptionally well in the games he played. He had to bide his time in waiting for his chance but we gave him that chance towards the end of the season.
“We know he’s a goalscorer and going into the Championship, we know that given the right ammunition he will score goals for us. Billy has committed right away which is exactly what Stuart and I are looking for.”