Ross County forward Craig Curran reckons the much-changed Staggies can go from strength to strength after their 2-0 win against Hamilton on Saturday.
Curran’s first-half double helped County record a deserved win against the Lanarkshire outfit at Victoria Park after goalkeeper Scott Fox saved an early Ali Crawford penalty.
Manager Jim McIntyre has already added 10 players to his squad and, after guiding the Staggies to their first points of the new campaign, English attacker Curran still feels there is room for improvement.
Curran said: “We are certainly still gelling. There’s more to come than we showed against Hamilton. If we are getting results when we aren’t at our top level, that’s a good sign.”
The Staggies won just two of their opening 24 matches last term, before staving off the threat of relegation with an excellent run of 10 wins from their last 14 games, having been six points adrift at the bottom of the table in early February.
Curran hopes the momentum can continue f after County’s first victory of the new campaign.
The 25-year-old said: “The spirit in the squad is something the manager has worked to instil from day one. That’s what dragged us out of trouble in the last six months of last season.
“The players who have been brought in over the summer are good players, so we are hoping we can use that to kick us on.
“There’s a great feeling about the place. Little changes have been made by the chairman and the facilities are fantastic.
“It shows when we take it out on to the pitch but it is only early. It’s nice to get the first win but we have to build on it when we play St Johnstone tomorrow.”
Curran joined the Highlanders from Nuneaton Town in January and played an important role in securing County’s survival last term, netting five goals in 19 games.
The former Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United and Limerick forward formed a strong partnership with last season’s leading scorer Liam Boyce.
With former Dundee United and St Johnstone forward Brian Graham added to McIntyre’s squad, Curran knows quality performances will be required to keep his place in the team.
Curran added: “There is competition for places. That keeps me on my toes.
“There are really good players in all positions. Up front, we have Liam, Brian and young Kyle MacLeod all pressing for selection. It is up to me to keep the shirt.”