Ross County forward Ross Stewart is determined to show his goalscoring exploits of last season were no flash in the pan.
Stewart finished the Staggies’ joint leading scorer on 11 goals last term, despite being sidelined for more than two months with a hamstring injury.
In a further cruel blow, the 23-year-old was only two games into his return when the season was halted in March due to coronavirus.
Stewart got his new campaign off to a flying start by netting the only goal from the penalty spot in Monday’s 1-0 win over Motherwell.
Stewart is eager to build on his successful maiden campaign in the top flight, and he said: “I have always put pressure on myself to do well. Coming off a pretty good season last year, there are going to be a lot of people saying “can he do it again?”
“I will certainly give it my all every time I cross that white line. It was great to get a goal in the first game of the season, and hopefully I can build on that and get some more.
“Just as I was coming back into the team after injury Covid happened, which was quite disappointing.
“But I used that time to get my body ready for where it needed to be for the first game back. I felt good out there and it was good to get 90 minutes under my belt.
“I was delighted with how the night went. As long as the team is winning I will be happy.”
County, who finished 10th last season, got their campaign off to an impressive start with their opening day win over a Well side which finished third last time around.
Stewart was pleased with his side’s ability to hold firm in the face of pressure from the Steelmen following his opener, adding: “It’s a great start for us and we’ve got to use it now and build on it come Saturday against Hamilton Accies.
“It was a really difficult game to start with and we knew that coming into the game.
“Credit goes to the back four, but more importantly to the team. That was something we had pointed out that we wanted to build on from last season.
“We got the shut out and the 1-0 victory, and hopefully there are plenty more of them for us this season.”
Stewart hopes the Staggies can familiarise themselves with the reality of playing games behind closed doors in the coming weeks, and he added: “It was great to be back – it has been a long time coming.
“Circumstances are what they are, but as players we will take it. We have to find ways as a team and as individuals to motivate ourselves and go and do a job.
“That’s what we did against Motherwell, and credit to the team for getting that win.”
