Malky hails the boys in the engine room as Staggies pick up speed

Ross County manager Malky Mackay paid tribute to his midfielders for their role in the Staggies’ 3-2 win over St Mirren.

Jordan Tillson, who has been a constant presence in the heart of midfield, netted County’s second goal to open his account for the Dingwall outfit.

He was joined in the middle of the park by summer signings Victor Loturi and Yan Dhanda, who have played their way into Mackay’s starting line-up.

Mackay feels his new arrivals are starting to get to grips with the intensity of Scottish football, which he reckons has shown in recent weeks.

The Staggies boss said: “I hate picking people out, but I thought Jordan Tillson and Yan Dhanda in midfield were terrific.

“We’ve brought Victor Loturi over from Canada and had to gradually bleed him into the team. In the first half his control and his ball for the first goal were just great.

“He is now really beginning to handle Premiership football and be so comfortable on the ball in that midfield.

“It’s people understanding the frenetic nature of this league. The midfield area, in a lot of games in this league, is a tough place to be.

“It’s 100 miles an hour. For boys coming from other parts of the world, some from England and boys coming from Canada, it’s different.

“They have a lot of technique but there is an intensity in this league. The relentless nature of these games, going right to the last minute and balls being thrown in with seven or eight men in the box.

“I’m delighted they had the calmness of mind, with two minutes to go, to go up into the top lefthand corner and keep the ball up there.

“That’s them showing a bit of nous and understanding that we need to calm pressure, against a team desperate to get back into it a bit.”

Mackay felt his side had to show both sides of the game in order to secure the points against the Buddies.

He added: “I was really disappointed for them coming in at 2-1 down at half-time because a corner and free-kick put St Mirren ahead despite our control of the game.

“It was just a case of instilling confidence at half-time and asking for more of the same.

“They then change shape three times in the game to try and get a foothold, which again shows me our team is doing something right tactically.

“At the end, they had to stand up and be counted.

“There are a lot of youngsters here, which is when we cry out for a couple of old heads. We brought one on in Keith Watson, who really marshalled the middle of the defence well when Jack Baldwin had to go off.

“It’s where the older players really step up to the fore.”

Malky Mackay praised his midfielders’ contribution.