Fans capable of being difference makers on return, says Ross County manager Malky Mackay
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Ross County will welcome supporters back into the Global Energy Stadium for the first time in 2021 this weekend.
The Staggies were one of the few clubs allowed to have fans back in the ground last season, when they were limited to 300 inside the ground.
Dundee’s visit to the Highlands on Sunday for a Premier Sports Cup group match will be the first time Malky Mackay experiences a crowd as County boss, and he is looking forward to the occasion.
"I'm very much looking forward to it," he said.
"Ross County were one of the clubs last year that managed to get fans in for four or five games, which was terrific for the club and really showed the work that was done here.
"Everybody has seen fans in at the Euros, and that was something that everybody enjoyed. I'm no different, I can't wait for fans to get back into stadiums.
"I was at games last year that felt eerie – it felt like practice matches but it actually meant very important things for their livelihoods.
"It's great to get fans back into the stadium, and fingers crossed in the coming months that rises back to a point where we're nearing normality.
"You only need to see both Hampden and Wembley, when fans were singing even in small groups it made a difference to the players. Full credit to the players last year at all clubs for having the mentality to go out and play these games at the standard they did.
"It is difficult when there's not that atmosphere in the stadium. With how some of the stadiums up here can get, it does make a huge difference having fans back."
One thing the fans will be hoping for soon is more signings.
Despite having brought in four players this summer, the Staggies' squad still looks thin after releasing 10 senior players at the end of last season.
Last week's positive Covid cases meant that some aspects of signing a player – like a medical – became impossible in Dingwall, but that does not mean progress was put on hold altogether.
"Myself and the staff have been making sure that all the way through we're still talking to agents and players, which was about all we could do in terms of recruitment," Mackay explained.
"It's one of those things, you just get on with what you can – physically we couldn't do anything, the club was shut down for 10 days.
"The window is open until the end of August, and although it's frustrating you will find a lot of clubs wait until then to decide what they're doing with their players – especially if you're looking at loans.
"Everyone would love to have all their players in for the start of pre-season, but that never happens.
"It's an easy thing to go and sign five or six players tomorrow, but they won't be right for the club. It might look great until two or three weeks into the season if they're not at the right standard, or they're not the right type of character."
