AS far as final acts go, Michael Gardyne might just have had the finest of all - even if he hopes it won’t be his last Ross County hurrah.
The diminutive winger scored the winner against Motherwell on Sunday to secure the Staggies’ place in the Premiership for a third season running.
It was quite the feat for John Hughes’ men - who won their last three games to leapfrog Kilmarnock into 10th place - and a fitting way for Gardyne, 35, to mark what was his 442nd and potentially final appearance for County.
“Yes, it would be fitting, keeping my club up and scoring the goal to do it would be lovely,” Gardyne, whose contract is up, said. “Am I hoping it’s not my last goal for the club? Yes, hopefully something gets sorted. We will see what happens over the coming weeks.
“I’ve still to sort out my contract situation. I’m out of contract.
“It’s big summer for me and we will see what happens. I don’t want to be working on the taxis just yet. I still feel good, I still feel fit, I’ve still got that bit of sharpness, and a wee turn of pace! I’m still trying to create chances for people and score goals.”
County’s terrific win on Saturday was sparked by skipper Iain Vigurs’ swashbuckling goal to cancel out Sam Foley’s opener for Motherwell and Gardyne was quick to pay tribute to his old mate.
“Obviously we have that affinity with Ross County,” the former Celtic man said. “ It’s well documented. It’s kind of Roy of the Rovers stuff, Iain Vigurs and Michael Gardyne. But I thought all of the lads were brilliant.
“We know there have been times over the course of the season where we have not been good enough but when the pressure has been on we have stepped up and accepted it as a challenge.”
Meanwhile, Stephen O’Donnell, the Mothwerwell captain, expects there to be a high turnover of players in North Lanarkshire as boss Graham Alexander looks to put his stamp on the team.
“It’s been a difficult season for a lot of clubs on and off the pitch with regards to Covid and all that sort of stuff,” the Scotland internationalist said. “So it will be interesting.
“The gaffer will get an opportunity to bring in his players and hopefully get to keep the ones he wants to keep.”
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