Gardyne: Ross County guilty of not backing up big wins
MICHAEL Gardyne says Ross County can’t throw away points at St Mirren tomorrow after beating Celtic in Dingwall on Sunday.
The Staggies shocked the champions at the Global Energy Stadium with a 1–0 victory, which moved them out of the relegation zone into 10th place.
Ross County have had a good record against teams in the top six this season, beating Aberdeen and Celtic at home as well as defeating Hibernian at Easter Road.
However, Gardyne admits they have not backed up those performances afterwards, highlighting defeats at home to Motherwell and Dundee United during 2021.
With St Mirren chasing a place in the top six before the split, Gardyne admits it will be a tough task on Saturday, but says they have to gain consistency if they are to win their fight against the drop.
“We have been guilty after big wins this season we have not been able to follow it up the next week,” he said.
“I think that it is really important and there are only nine games left and the position we are in, we need to get points on the board.
“We have been working hard and it is all about the next game.”
Gardyne was part of the Ross County squad that was relegated in 2018 after a 1–1 draw on the final day of the season at St Johnstone.
He has also been part of successful Premiership campaigns where the Staggies have survived the drop and comfortably stayed in the top flight of Scottish football.
Gardyne hopes that he can use his experience to help other players in the team find the spirit to stay up.
“I have been in this position before and its nice to have that experience I can bring to a few of the lads who are new to it,” said the midfielder.
Ross County are in 10th place in the Premiership, two points ahead of Kilmarnock in 11th and Hamilton Academical at the bottom.
They are three points behind Motherwell in ninth and Gardyne believes more than four teams could be involved in the relegation dogfight with nine games left.
“It is really tight at the bottom just now and it is all about what the bottom three do,” he said.
“If us and Hamilton get wins, it will drag a couple more teams into it.
“But its the old cliché, but it is true, you just have to look after yourselves.
“We should only affect what we do on a Saturday, we can only affect where Ross County are going to be in the league.
“That has to be our main focus.”
Gardyne says he been in contact with former Ross County captain Marcus Fraser who he will face tomorrow.
He said: “I spoke to him about this weekend, and all he replied was I’ll see you on the battlefield.”
