The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Gardyne happy to go out on a County high
Dingwall men aim to extend unbeaten run to 34 games
Michael Gardyne will bid an emotional farewell to Ross County today after six years and four trophies at Victoria Park.
Few players have contributed as much to the Staggies’ amazing ascent from the Second Division to thesplthan the26-yearold. He will depart for Dundee United after winning the Second Division league title five seasons ago, claiming two Challenge Cups and playing a leading role in this year’s First Division championship success.
The Dundee- born attacker has scored 16 times this season and bamboozled defences up and down the country with his skill, trickery and pace.
He will put on a County shirt for the last time against Queen of the South at Palmerston Park today and admits it will be hard to keep his emotions in check come the final whistle.
Gardyne, who was one of four County players named in the PFA Scotland First Division team of the year, along with Grant Munro, Scott Boyd and Colin McMenamin, said: “I will always cherish my time here and I can’t wait to come back next year.
“I was emotional after my last home game against Hamilton. I got a great reception when I went off.
“It will be my last game for Ross County. I amreally looking forward to it and it will be very emotional. There is not a better way to leave after winning the league.
“The Scottish Cup final run (in 2010) was good, but we have been producing great performances every single week all season.
“It is the perfect way to leave on the highest of highs you can get.
“We want to make it 34 games unbeaten at Queen of the South. It would be incredible and we want to create history.”
He added: “I will miss all the players when I leave. Most of us have been with the club for the last four years like Richard Brittain, Paul Lawson, Scott Boyd, Gary Miller and Steven Craig.”
“For me to come back and play against Ross County next season will be a bit weird, but it will be brilliant at the same time.
“Victoria Park will be an intimidating place for teams and I amreally looking forward to seeing how it looks next season.”