Malky Mackay proud of Ross County's effort with 10 men against Aberdeen – but confirms Josh Sims is in hospital after unpunished Ryan Duncan challenge
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Malky Mackay's overriding emotion after Ross County's League Cup exit was pride at the effort expelled by his players to remain competitive against Aberdeen with 10 men.
The Staggies were at a numbers disadvantage for the vast majority of the game due to Jack Baldwin's red card in the first 15 minutes.
However, at the end they were pressing for an equaliser, having got themselves back into the tie through Kyle Turner's penalty kick.
"I'm really disappointed – we lose to a really fantastic goal, Graeme Shinnie couldn't hit it any sweeter, so I have no qualms about that," Mackay said.
"I think VAR would have looked at the sending off, but you're thinking it could have become a long night and we turned it into a real cup tie.
"There were balls flashing across the box with 10 minutes to go, so I'm disappointed for our players but really proud of them.
"I'm proud that we kept playing and kept a good shape, and that when we won the ball back we went at them.
"If we keep putting performances in like that against the top 11 teams in the country, I firmly believe we will be in a better situation than last year."
There was frustration from Mackay, though, at inconsistency from the officials when it came to handing out bookings.
Josh Sims and Josh Reid both took nasty challenges, with the former ending up in hospital, but neither offender's name was taken by referee John Beaton.
"There seemed to be an awful lot of bookings for a period, and then a few bizarre ones that don't become bookings," Mackay added.
"Josh Sims is away to hospital. His leg is split wide open like a banana, so that will need serious stitches. I heard what it was then when I looked as he was coming off, I could see the inside of his leg, so that's not good.
"Then at the end Josh Reid gets wiped out, and the foul is given but no booking. I don't know if he's is going to be fit for Saturday. He's not in a great way right now.
"Listen, it wasn't malicious. The boy has flown in on a wet surface, and the fourth official has said he sees why I think it should have been a yellow – so can I.
"It's a bit of consistency that's needed and a bit of dialogue I suppose.
