Malky Mackay tells of chairman Roy MacGregor's tears of joy in the Ross County dressing room as the Staggies beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie to claim a top six finish in the Cinch Premiership
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Malky Mackay tonight dedicated Ross County’s remarkable top six success to an “emotional” club chairman Roy MacGregor.
The Staggies manager made special mention of the Dingwall club’s long-time financier after wild scenes of celebration for the Highland club at Pittodrie.
Joseph Hungbo’s late penalty kick sealed a 1-0 win over Aberdeen and propelled County above the Premiership split for the first time since Jim McIntyre’s 2016 success.
MacGregor made a rare appearance in the away dressing room after the game as he and his his non-football staff shed tears of joy among the players.
There is also now a genuine chance of European football for a team that began the season with a mass Covid outbreak and 10 winless matches.
Since clambering off bottom place in December, Mackay’s team has clicked to become one of the main form sides outwith the Old Firm.
MacGregor’s backing, not just this season but through over 25 years at the helm prompted Mackay to pay a warm tribute afterwards.
The manager said: “Today I’m really delighted for our chairman, Roy.
“He got a little bit emotional with the players, which is something he doesn’t do and I’ve never seen before.
“Both for him and Steven Ferguson, our chief executive, who run the football club with a very small staff, I’m so happy for them.
“When a playing staff, football staff and commercial staff and fans all pull together and push in the one direction, good things can happen. It has today.
“Roy just said a few words to the players. I asked him to come in.
“It’s not something he would normally do. He’s not an overly emotional person but what I know is that he’s an incredibly passionate football fan and he cares deeply about that club.
“I think the stability at our football club, the fact he’s been there as a constant over the last 20 years and that the club have been in the top-flight nine of the last 10 years when there’s four or five thousand people who live in Dingwall, the fact that the books have to be balanced, it’s great testament to him.
“I’m delighted for him more than anything. He came in and had a little moment or two with the players which was important for me, to be honest with you.”
Mackay, with a proud record in management south of the border, rated the success as “right up there” with his finest moments at clubs like Watford and Cardiff City.
He stressed: “When you have three points after 10 games, you certainly don’t think you’re going to be sitting in the top half after the split.
“Despite how we were doing, and how well we were playing, we got three points from 10 games and everybody tipped us for relegation.
“The fact that from then, we have been consistent and gradually climbed up the table, shows great character and spirit from the players.”
