Ross County midfielder Christopher Routis hopes familiarity will help him make a greater impact with the Staggies next season.
The Frenchman joined County from English League One side Bradford City in May last year and has made 31 appearances and scored four goals.
The 27-year-old spent several weeks on the sidelines after the turn of the year due to a hamstring injury but, having settled into Scottish football, he believes he can play an even greater role in manager Jim McIntyre’s team next term.
Routis said: “Having a similar squad is important. I know how hard it is when a player starts with a new team, but we should be stronger and better.
“This was my first season at County, but now I know the players and I know the team.
“I’m happy I played a lot of games in my best position and I want to progress in that position. The manager has helped me a lot this season.
“I’m also quite disappointed because when I scored goals after the winter break and was performing well I had the injury, which kept me out for six or seven weeks.
“I came back and played about 50% of my capacity because I had really sore legs, the tendon was sore.
“Now that’s better, but the team is playing really well so that’s why I am not in the team. I will work hard and wait for my chance again.
“I am here to help the team any time.
“For my first season in Scotland, I am quite happy overall, I will keep going and hope next season is better.”
County missed out on their target of a top-six finish and, although Routis hopes to end this season on a high, he reckons it will be even tougher for the Dingwall men next season.
He added: “Next year will be harder. With Hibernian back in the Premiership it will be a really good league. All the players want to play in the really good leagues.
“We lost a lot of points this year because of mistakes or a lack of consistency, that’s what we have to improve on to progress next year.
“We have good players and I believe we can finish better, just like St Johnstone have this year.
“We need to try to be like them, find that form and I am sure we can manage it.”
