Malky Covid sweat after visit of the champions
MALKY MACKAY is hopeful Ross County will escape Covid repercussions after Sunday rivals Rangers were rocked by positive tests.
The Ibrox side won 4-2 in Dingwall on Sunday before the scale of the player crisis emerged yesterday morning.
Mackay experienced a mass outbreak in the Staggies camp last month, leading to the club having to forfeit two of their League Cup group games.
Most of his squad were wiped out for 10 days by the situation. The former SFA performance chief reported there had been no positive tests for County yesterday.
Boss Mackay said: “I just wish them the very best. We have had it here and had players who were not in a particularly good way for a couple of weeks.
“I hope whoever has got it, comes through it fine.
“I wish them safety and good health. I understand the challenge faced by them this week, having experienced it also.
“We tested Wednesday
Mackay morning. We’re testing every three days at the moment.”
Mackay is still bemused by rules that mean he could be left playing a group of 16-year-olds in the league – and keepers outfield.
He said: “We’ve been told by the governing bodies that if you do have registered players, then they’ll play in place of first-team players.
“We have 16-year-olds here registered. Should we lose eight or nine having to self-isolate, we’ll have to play those 16-year-olds.
“I believe also if you have three goalkeepers and 13 available players, one has to play outfield.”
The Staggies yesterday added former Bristol Rovers defender Jack Baldwin, 28, on a permanent deal as Mackay added: “He has captained clubs and played for big sides like Sunderland.”