Mackay calls on County to up game for Ibrox

MALKY MACKAY wants his Ross County players to be inspired by Ibrox tomorrow – just as he was in his playing days.

The Staggies manager experienced scoring in the Old Firm derby, as well as a sending off, but always revelled in the occasion.

While County lost their first clash with the champions in Dingwall this season, they gave a good account in the 4-2 defeat.

Mackay said: “We are going down to Ibrox to play against the champions – it’s as simple as that.

“They are a top team, and we know the test it’s going to be. We have played them up here this year.

“After a whirlwind start from Rangers, I thought we played our way into the game well. Anybody watching it on the day would say it was nip on tuck as to whether we were going to nick the draw.

“We lost one with a couple of minutes to go, but I think we acquitted ourselves really well.

“Going to Ibrox there will be a big crowd, a good pitch and a top team.

“It’s what I love being involved in, and what players should love being involved in.”

Mackay, who has a fully fit squad, doesn’t believe Rangers’ midweek exertions in Europe against Brondby will have any bearing on tomorrow’s meeting.

He stressed: “Rangers have got a huge squad, and they are used to doing this. I don’t think it’s going to make any difference.

“They know exactly how to do what they do, and they’ve got good people who work there.

“We look at ourselves and we are coming off a fantastic victory away to Dundee.

“I think the evidence of the game is what was needed concerning the way the boys have been playing in the last few weeks.

“It culminated on the evening in a superb win, and, in the aftermath of that, the boys were confident, and really looking forward to Hibs coming here at the weekend.

“Obviously that didn’t happen, but they have been in most days for training and performing at an intensity I like.

“Over the period between the start of pre-season and now they have started applying a lot of the habits I want to see, in terms of how intense training can be.”