Ross Draper was only too happy to commit his future to Ross County – and hopes long-time colleague Billy Mckay does the same.
Draper penned a two-year extension at the end of last week and County are still in negotiations to keep last season’s top-scorer Mckay.
The pair spent two-and-a-half seasons together at Caley Thistle and reunited with each other in Dingwall in the summer of 2017.
Both finished County’s Championship-winning season in the treatment room – Draper with a broken kneecap and Mckay with a broken arm – but the midfielder is hopeful their long association will continue.
He said: “When you play with him on a day-to-day basis, you can see he still has that buzz about him. It’s similar to what you see with Jamie Vardy at Leicester; he still acts and plays like a youngster.
“If you’ve got an eye for goal like he has, you’ll always be an asset to any club. A lot of clubs probably want him but from a selfish point of view, I hope we keep him.
“I think he’s in a similar situation to myself, in that he wants a longer deal. We all hope he gets it signed.
“I had an option in my deal for another year but I spoke to the club about a longer contract. I wanted protection for myself and my family and it suits me to get it signed. The club is keeping the majority of the lads and bringing in four or five faces, so I wanted to be part of that.”
His deal also has an option of a third year, should he decide to extend his stay beyond 2021.
Draper’s recovery from that serious knee injury – sustained in a collision with Jamie McCart against Caley Thistle in March – is on schedule, with Draper targeting the start of the Premiership season for a return.
He added: “It’s gradual – I’m off crutches and out of the brace.
“It was done in a tackle with (Jamie) McCart in the game we won at their place. I hobbled through to half-time but had to come off. The pain was incredible.”
The contingent of ex-Inverness players at Victoria Park was added to this summer, with Joe Chalmers’ move across the Kessock Bridge taking that number to four.
Draper said: “Joe came in for pre-season just before I left Inverness. He’s a top man on and off the park and playing against him last year, you can see his quality.”
