‘Hungry’ Ross County target home wins in the Premiership
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MALKY Mackay is convinced the desire and hunger within Ross County ranks will bring much-needed rewards in coming weeks.
The Staggies’ manager is refusing to press the panic button over a lack of wins in the Premiership so far, pointing to strong performances, bad luck and squad rebuilding work as mitigating factors.
County dominated possession for good periods in recent defeats to Dundee United and Motherwell, but passed up chances in crucial moments.
Mackay, acknowledging the need to become more ruthless in front of goal,
said: “They’re young and they’re hungry. You want a group of players to have fire in their bellies, and our group does.
“We’re not carrying passengers, guys just seeing out the last couple of years of their contracts or careers, or looking out for themselves.
“There’s a really selfless group here at the moment that are only going to get better for this football club.
“Great credit to them, both the ones here before I arrived and the ones we’ve brought in permanently and also the ones on loan.
“They’re only here for a year, but I spoke to them about the best way to have a successful loan move is to think and act as if you’re a Ross County player.
“Those guys have thrown themselves into it. We’ve a group out there training who are only getting better.
“With the amount of chances we’re creating in this league, they need to take the next step.
“That’s the bit we’re disappointed in – we’re not being clinical enough in the final third.
“If we had been, we’d probably be sitting where Motherwell are.
“At the other end of the field, we’ve had a bit of misfortune and bits where we have to get better.
“What we’ve got at the moment is a really athletic group, and I’m enjoying the fact they’re running hard to the 95th minute.”
Mackay worked the players hard this week on a
game plan to shoot down visiting St Mirren, with Livingston at home the following week.
The manager believes that taking recent level of performance in front of the home fans and adding that killer touch will see County climb the table.
Individuals within the ranks are also enthusing Mackay, who is easing Jake Vokins and Connor Randall back into training after injuries.
Scotland under-21 star Jack Burroughs is one.
Mackay added: “Our Scotland under-21 international Jack Burroughs can literally play anywhere on the pitch.
“If I threw goalkeeping gloves at him, I think he’d play there.
“He looks as much at ease at left-back as right-back, and he will also play in midfield for us.
“The other night for Scotland under-21s he started at right-wing and ended up at left-back against Denmark. That’s a measure of what Scott Gemmell, the national coach, thinks of him.”
