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Ross County will continue to fine-tune tactical instructions ahead of trip to Paisley to face St Mirren in Scottish Premiership as Malky Mackay enters second season in charge in Dingwall


By Andrew Henderson

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Malky Mackay says he is able to hand out more specific tactical instructions in his second season at Ross County.

Taking charge in Dingwall last summer with a huge turnover of players, Mackay believes his first campaign was more about establishing broader principles and approaches.

That was still effective, as the Staggies secured a top six finish in the Premiership, but in year two he is able to take things a step further.

Malky Mackay has tweaked his tactics for each of Ross County's opening two Premiership games of the season. Picture: Andy Barr
Malky Mackay has tweaked his tactics for each of Ross County's opening two Premiership games of the season. Picture: Andy Barr

The former Watford, Cardiff and Wigan boss set his side out very differently against Hearts and Celtic in recent week, looking to take the game to their hosts at Tynecastle while adopting a more cautious man-marking system against the Glasgow giants.

Such flexibility could be a sign of things to come, with Mackay saying the work done last year will allow him to focus on the finer details more often this season in order to win matches.

“Initially, there was that need for an understanding of what I want as an identity for the club,” Mackay said.

“We’ve got a core group of players now who understand the structure, albeit the huge influx this summer has meant us laying that down again.

“But we have a group there who are already doing that, so it is easy for others coming in to follow that.

“There is an understanding of how I want to play and, now, it is all about dialling that up and looking at finer detail – being more intricate and trying to improve the quality of what we did last year.

“I don’t want to stand still or go backwards, I want to push everything forward so we have a group here that continues to challenge everyone in the league.”

County’s sixth place finish last season will undoubtedly have made their Premiership rivals sit up and take notice, and Mackay suspects clubs will look at the Staggies as more of a threat.

“I do think people might have a perception change, slightly – why wouldn’t you?” he asked.

“Livingston made that top six and the following season people don’t think ‘little Livingston’, they think ‘be careful’.

“There will be that perception of ‘be careful’ against Ross County, but I don’t think you’ll find managers underestimating anyone in this division.

“Any manager worth their salt takes every team in this league seriously – I certainly haven’t approached one game in this division thinking ‘this’ll be fine’. If you start that, good luck. It’s a slippery slope.

“Every team we play, I’m very conscious of the dangers of them. That’s just the respect that you should give.

“As managers, we’re all working very hard to get that edge and win the game.”


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