County spurred by Tannadice mind games
Michael Gardyne spoke last night of how Ross County’s Championship t i t l e - w i n n e rs dr e w extra motivation from the s t re a m of spiky comments emanating from Dundee United’s dressing room.
County will be back in the Premiership next season after clinching the title by beating Queen of the South 4-0 at home on Friday night.
Co u n t y celebrated what Gardyne described as “a great achievement” after leading the way for most of the campaign, with their fans at the Global Energy Stadium yesterday, just 12 months after the heartbreak of relegation.
But t h e re wer e statements repeatedly coming out of Tannadice regarding C o u n t y ’s prospects of cementing the title in a sustained attempt at mind games.
Gardyne – the Staggies’ record- holder both for goals and appearances after 11 years’ service in three spells – couldn’t resist snapping back.
The Dundonian and former Celtic youth, who had a three- year spell at United, said: “There was a lot of chat from other teams but we just kept ourselves to ourselves.
“We just focused on the job and let people like United boss, Robbie Neilson, speak about winning the league.
“It was a motivation for us every single week. He talked about it from the moment he came into the job, saying what they were going to do.
“Even when they went out of the Scottish Cup, they were saying that they were going to win the league now – that helped motivate us.”
Gardyne’s status at County is destined to become that of legend, having played a part in some of their greatest successes.
He was part of the Derek Adams team that stormed past Hibs and Celtic to the Scottish Cup Final in 2010 while still a First Division club.
He won a third Irn-bru Cup with County this season, while adding the Championship to Second and First Division title medals and the 2015/ 16 League Cup.
Fr i d a y n i g h t’s and Sa t u rd a y a f t e r n o o n’s parties with the supporters were special to him.
Gardyne said: “After what happened last season, it showed a lot of character to win the league at the first time of asking but I don’t think anyone can say we didn’t deserve it.
“The bond between the players has been incredible – we have been at it from the start of the season to the end.
“It has been a real team effort from ever yone inside the club, not just the players but the backroom staff and the people who work here too.
“Everyone believed in us and that helped us get there.”