‘Proud’ boss Mackay ready for anything
Malky Mackay reckons he has just about seen it all in terms of fate throwing him off-field curve balls.
Covid-19 outbreaks, red-tape transfer issues, training ground injury and international call-ups on the other side of the Atlantic have left him short of players – with “seven or eight” still to be drafted into his tight Dingwall squad.
But the former Scotland performance director was proud of his team’s resilience in the 0-0 draw with St Johnstone as he kicked off his Premiership managerial career 30 years after his playing debut.
Mackay said: “It’s been a really tough few weeks. Two weeks ago they were all sitting in the house because of Covid.
“We’d already had the huge turnover of 15 players leaving and we only have five in so far. We only have 14 fit players and three or four children on the bench.
“Two of the boys were in the Gold Cup three days ago in America and Harry Paton was somewhere over the Atlantic 18 hours ago.
“For him to come, fly into London and fly up here this morning – and end up sitting on the bench and getting on the pitch – is testament to him.
“We also had to contend with Jake Vokins – our Southampton loanee – in the last minute of training, innocuously making a pass, feeling something in his foot and suffering a stress fracture in his fifth metatarsal which will keep him out for 10 weeks.
“I was just waiting on a big wave coming in from the Cromarty Firth and taking the stadium out.
“It’s about the only thing that’s not happened so far.”
Transfer activity is expected this week as County step up towards the contingent Mackay wants.
He stressed: “We should have three or four next week. We need to get the young kids out on loan.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game. Callum Davidson has a really well-drilled team. They had a fantastic season.
“Credit to my team. They changed their system twice during the game so we’re delighted with the clean sheet.
“I’m really proud to be manager of the club this week. I want to improve it.
“We should have players by the end of the week.”