Ross County attacker Liam Boyce is confident the Staggies can carry their momentum into next season.
County’s Premiership season comes to an end against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park today, with the Dingwall men securing their top-flight status with last week’s 2-1 win against Hamilton Accies.
Boyce netted the winner in that match, before an excellent week was capped off by his inclusion in the Northern Ireland squad for the forthcoming matches against Qatar and Romania.
The four-times capped forward has enjoyed a highly successful first season in Scottish football, after joining from Cliftonville last summer.
Now tied down with County until 2017, Boyce is determined to hit the ground running next season.
Boyce said: “It is exciting thinking ahead to next year. The manager will bring in his own players, the style of player he wants.
“Hopefully, even though there is a summer break, we can carry on the form we’ve been on into next season and see where it takes us.
“At the outset, it took us time to gel but now we have a full pre-season to prepare and we will go into next season highly confident.
“I just want to see where it takes us.”
County manager Jim McIntyre has already started rebuilding for the new campaign, informing 15 players – including captain Richard Brittain – they will leave at the end of the season.
McIntyre has started talks with the seven players he is looking to keep at Victoria Park and Boyce is hopeful more will follow his lead in extending their stay in the Highlands.
The 24 year-old added: “In football, it can be cut-throat and any of the lads who are leaving who play against Kilmarnock will be going out to try and leave the supporters with good last memories of them.
“I’d just like to say good luck to them wherever they go next season.
“It is difficult because we’ve grown really close as a squad. It will be tough seeing people leave. But having been in football for a few years, I’ve sort of got used to it. It’s just the way it is. We have to try and move on and accept what happens.
“We did really well in the latter part of the season, so it is only right the manager is trying to keep those who were starting every week together.
“I just hope everyone offered a deal signs on and we can give it a real go next year.
“I think everyone enjoys it here, especially with the changing room banter we have. We’re all really close.
“I haven’t heard anyone saying they’re leaving, so I’m hopeful. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”