Injuries and illness limited the stand-off's opportunities last term while the fine form of Dan Parks meant Ruaridh rarely got a look-in even when he was fit.
With Dan moving to Cardiff Ruaridh has a chance to put last season's disappointments behind him and make a fresh start.
"There were a number of things that went wrong last year, from injuries to illness and Dan's form picking up," said Ruaridh in the Scotsman, "and even when I did get back fit I didn't quite hit the form of the season before because I was trying too much to force my way in.
"The one thing I've learned from Dan is not to get lost in criticism. He's probably the expert in kicking off bad press and comments, but he's shown how to beat it.
"Nobody is ever the finished article; everybody is learning no matter what stage of your career you are at. In the first couple of seasons you're obviously learning a lot more and one of the things about my game is that I like to try things, try to be different and surprise opposition, and it's really only in games, and after-match analysis, that you learn when you can try things and when you have to be a bit more straightforward.
"But that's just a development, maturity thing. The aim for me now is to get the consistency of performance.
"I've said I want to forget last season, but at the same time there are some positives in terms of learning and accepting things that I've gained from last season that could also help going forward.
"I have a different kind of pressure now. Instead of trying to force my way in when you know the guy there, Dan, is the number one, there is now a spot open for the player that can take it.
"There are three of us going for it with Duncan Weir now in and keen to play every game, and Colin Gregor is an experienced and very talented player, who obviously wants to play every week too. We all do.
"But that's exciting. There are a few positions guys will be pushing for this season with players having left and that's good."

This article was posted on 7-Jul-2010, 21:29 by Hugh Barrow.