Ross County forward Billy Mckay feels he is making the step up to the Premiership with fresh impetus after injury curtailed his season last year.
Mckay suffered a broken arm after landing awkwardly in sealing his hat-trick in a 3-2 victory over Ayr United, with his 20th goal of the season proving to be his final act of the campaign.
Having now returned to fitness and netted four goals in County’s opening three Betfred Cup matches, former Caley Thistle striker Mckay is hungry to make a mark on his top-flight return.
Mckay said: “I had a really good season last year up until the injury. I have come back raring to go – I couldn’t wait to get back playing.
“I don’t think it could have gone much better, coming off the bench in the first game and getting a goal, getting another on Tuesday and two on Sunday.
“It’s the dream start for me so I just want to keep going in the Premiership.”
Northern Ireland international Mckay netted twice to help the Staggies defeat St Johnstone 2-1 to move within touching distance of the Betfred Cup last-16, and the 30-year-old was pleased to get a flavour of the top-flight opposition that awaits his side this term.
He added: “St Johnstone are normally a mid-table Premiership team. They are well established and they have been up there for years.
“It’s about bouncing back when we go behind and we are delighted we did that to get another three points – we are going to have that a lot this season.
“We saw it on Sunday and I believe there is still a lot more to come from us.
“There’s loads of experience and the depth of the squad is brilliant. The players coming on are established Premiership players with a lot of appearances.
“There is competition for places which is going to help us.”
Mckay feels Staggies co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson have not received the credit they deserve for steering the Dingwall men back to the Premiership in their first full season in charge at Victoria Park, adding: “I think they have been asked it a lot, but their friendship off the pitch has helped.
“They are both really close and you can see that. To be honest, I don’t think they have really had the recognition they have deserved for last season.
“It was their first time in the job and they got us straight back up from the Championship – which is not an easy league as clubs in the past have seen.
“Their training is great and they are great with us. Hopefully we can have another successful year with them.”
