Mackay: We’re not relegation fodder

MALKY MACKAY spoke of his pride after combative Ross County manned the battlements to secure a point against Aberdeen.

The Staggies boss sent out a message his side won’t be relegation fodder if they continue to perform the way they have since the start of the season.

Mackay said: ‘I’m really proud of them.

“It was like the walking wounded at the end in the changing room.

“But I’m proud in one sense and disappointed in another because of the chances we created.

‘I’ve got great respect for Aberdeen. It’s always going to be a tough game here. They are a terrific club with a good fanbase and it’s always a good atmosphere.

“They have a huge squad with real investment in it over the last couple of weeks.

“I’d normally be delighted with a point but we’re disappointed because of the chances we created and the way we played and the issues we caused Aberdeen.

“I was also happy with how we went on the front foot again after Aberdeen scored their goal and we created a couple more half chances. I’m proud we played the way we did against a good Aberdeen team.

“We have quite clearly been tipped as the team to be relegated this year and that’s okay.

“But if I look at the first four games, the way we played against St Johnstone, the second half against Hibs, still being in the game against Rangers with four minutes to go, then the way we played today against Aberdeen, if we keep going like that then we will be okay.

“Do I use being tipped as a source of motivation?

“You look at it and say that’s what people think and that’s okay.

“It’s natural. I don’t have a problem with it but what we need to do is to make sure we are more than the sum of all our parts and that we go into every match making sure teams are in a game.

“We did that against Aberdeen. We need to do that week in, week out.”