Ross County forward Billy Mckay feels his Ladbrokes Championship player of the month award for October is a consequence of the faith shown in him by co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson.
Mckay was handed the award on Tuesday after netting five goals in four games during the month with Kettlewell and Ferguson also taking the manager of the month award for the second time in succession.
Northern Ireland international Mckay netted three goals in the final 10 games of last term prior to County’s relegation from the Premiership with 11 strikes to his name already this season.
Former Caley Thistle striker Mckay feels the appointment of Kettlewell and Ferguson in March, following a frustrating spell under previous manager Owen Coyle, has been the catalyst for his return to goalscoring form.
He said: “I didn’t want to come all the way from home and not play. It’s a real frustration and I found that last year. Under the last manager, Owen, I didn’t play as much as I would have liked.
“It has changed since the new managers came in.
“They got the job and I think I started every game bar one for them and at the start of this season I signed up pretty quick when I knew they had got the managers’ job.
“It wasn’t the start to this season I had hoped for but it has changed now and hopefully I can kick on.”
Mckay kick-started his run of goalscoring form with a hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over Dundee United in the final game of September.
The 30-year-old said: “A couple of days beforehand I actually didn’t think I was going to start that game.
“We were going to change system to one up front and I wasn’t sure if it was going to be me or one of the other lads.
“We’ve got a lot of really good competition here so I wasn’t sure. But I got the nod and managed to get a hat-trick and I haven’t looked back since then.
“Since then I went eight goals in four games so I’m delighted with my form at the minute. Even though I have not scored in the last couple of games I feel I have played pretty well so hopefully I can keep that going.
“That game was the first time under the managers that I had actually played on my own. It worked and we have continued with that. I hope I can continue to score the goals and keep my place.”
Despite his recent streak, Mckay is not taking his place for granted given the competition he faces from the likes of Brian Graham, Declan McManus and Ross Stewart, adding: “We have got four really good strikers who, at the minute, are all fighting for one spot.
“I know I can’t rest on my laurels, I need to keep going. I feel like I’m doing that at the minute, so hopefully I can keep my place.”
