Ross County midfielder Michael Gardyne reckons he is playing the best football of his career after claiming a club goalscoring record with a double in Tuesday’s 3-2 Premiership victory against Kilmarnock.
Gardyne’s two strikes took him on to 60 goals in 257 appearances for the Staggies, overtaking Sean Higgins as the player with the most goals for the club since County entered the Scottish football league in 1994.
The 29-year-old is in his fourth stint with the Dingwall outfit, having first joined on loan from Celtic in 2006, but the wide player, who has also had spells with Morton, Kilmarnock and Dundee United, feels he is enjoying his best spell under manager Jim McIntyre.
Gardyne said: “I would never have envisaged getting the record when I first arrived at the club – I thought it was just a season on loan.
“I’ve kept coming back and this is where I’ve played my best football. It’s a club close to my heart and it’s nice to be the top man here.
“I would say this is my best spell here. I feel like I can just to go and play my own game. That’s what the manager and Billy Dodds have said to me – just go and play.
“They don’t care if I lose the ball, they just want me to keep getting the ball and trying to do things.
“I feel I am more consistent. Maybe a couple of seasons ago I was doing it one week and then missing two.
“It’s nice to do it most weeks. I’m playing a different position now than I used to. I just try to go and get at players and that’s what I’m best at.
“I’m playing the best football of my career – they say players are in their prime at around my age.”
Gardyne paid tribute to his Staggies team-mates for helping him reach his milestone and, with another 18 months left on his contract at Victoria Park, he is optimistic fifth-placed County can continue to improve.
Gardyne added: “The manager has brought together a good team and the boys I’m playing with have played a huge part.
“Jackson Irvine’s pass to me for my first goal against Kilmarnock was brilliant. We’ve been playing well as a team.
“I’ve still got another year and a half from now, so I have that wee bit of security. That’s probably why I’m playing so well.
“I know my future is sorted for the time being so that’s obviously good as well.
“But I’m not thinking beyond that. I’m fit – the guys here have got me in great condition.
“I’m looking forward to the games ahead and continuing with what we’re doing.”