Michael Gardyne needed little convincing that his future lay at Ross County despite dropping to the Championship.
Interest from former club Dundee United and their city rivals Dundee could have seen him head back to his home town but Gardyne joined Ross Draper in signing a new one-year contract with the Staggies at the weekend.
Gardyne is in his fourth spell at Dingwall and is the club’s record appearance holder.
He was part of the team that reached the Scottish Cup final in 2010, won the First Division in 2012 and then scored in their League Cup triumph two years ago.
The 32-year-old feels he is best suited to sticking with County and it took little time for co-managers Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell to convince him to stay.
Gardyne said: “I went in and spoke to Ketts and Fergie and they told me their plans for next season – and told me they wanted me to be a big part of it.
“To hear that, given my affinity with the club, I was very happy to stay.
“It is going to be a big season and hopefully we can get back up at the first time of asking. I feel it can be done.
“Speaking to Ketts and Fergie, there is a vision and plan for how they want to play football and it is right up my street.
“I’ve been away and had one good season at Dundee United but I seem to play my best football here.”
Gardyne is the fourth player to commit to County for their first season back in the Championship and said the building blocks are in place to try to get back up to the Premiership in 12 months.
He added: “Relegation was hard for everyone. It was really disappointing and you saw the way the boys reacted after the game on the last day. It hurts.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been there for 10 years or six months, relegation isn’t nice for anyone.
“I think it is great the lads are signing up and showing they want to be there for next season, to help the club get back to where it wants to be.
“If the club can keep that base of players, I’m sure the management will be looking to add quality and experience, whatever they feel is required, to get us back up at that first time of asking.”
County co-manager Kettlewell, a former team-mate of Gardyne’s, is delighted their faith in the ex-Celtic youngster has been repaid.
Kettlewell said: “It is easy to jump ship and try something else but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
“We hope this proves to be the right decision for Michael.
“We’ve shown our faith in right away putting offers down in front of these guys and making it as clear as possible we want them
“We’re not searching for replacements for these guys. We want them to be here.”
