Brian Graham says Ross County co-managers Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell need look no further for their supply of goals in the Premiership next season.
Graham yesterday collected the Ladbrokes Championship player of the month award for April following a haul of five goals in six games, which leaves him on a total of 14 strikes for the campaign ahead of today’s final game away to Falkirk.
Having netted the goals which clinched County’s Championship title, Graham is already plotting the step up to the top-flight, but insists he will be making the switch full of confidence after successful spells in the Premiership with Dundee United, St Johnstone and in his first spell with County.
The 31-year-old said: “I’m definitely looking forward to another crack at the Premiership. I’ve had good success there.
“I’ve always finished in the top six and always chipped in with a few goals. Long may that continue.
“We were all in for individual meetings this week and they made it clear there isn’t going to be wholesale changes.
“We’re going to keep the squad together. He believes we’re all good enough to go up and challenge. When they signed me, they were hoping to win the league because they knew they had a Premiership striker on their hands.
“That was good to hear. It might have happened in the past that signings have disrupted the group, but I don’t think the two managers are going to go that way.
“They have a clear mindset on what they want to do and we buy into it.”
During his first spell with the Staggies, Graham was part of Jim McIntyre’s side which won the League Cup with a victory over Hibs at Hampden Park in 2016.
Despite the success he enjoyed during that 12-month spell, Graham feels the success enjoyed under Ferguson and Kettlewell this season has eclipsed it, adding: “Winning the League Cup was obviously extra special for the club – the first time they’d done it.
“This year has topped it, to be honest. It’s a better group of lads. The feel of the place is a lot better this time around. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“The two managers have been excellent from day one, since I came in.
“They’ve added to it, but the group of boys are really, really close this season. Even though we’ve had little arguments, it has never lingered and we’ve stuck by one another.
“You come off the training pitch and give each other cuddles going to the changing room. It has been like that all season and it has worked for us.
“I’ve been lucky enough in my career to have really good dressing rooms over the years, but this one is definitely right up there.”
Graham reserved a special mention for kit lady Susan Wilson following his award, with the forward adding: “I need to give wee Susan in the kit room a mention. I was absolutely gutted last week she couldn’t make it to the celebrations – she was ill.
“She’s a big part of this place. She’s like everybody’s wee mother.
“She’s brilliant – she looks after absolutely everyone and I think she deserves a wee bit of credit.
“When I was just a young boy, she was here at the club. It’s quite funny, but the best man at my wedding, Shaun Fraser, was here as a YTS signing and Susan looked after him as well back in the day.”
