Malky Mackay: Ross County will stay level headed after rising into top six
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Malky Mackay does not expect Ross County to get carried away now that they can boast a place in the Premiership’s top six.
It is the first time the Staggies have been in the top half since the beginning of the 2020/21 campaign, but three wins in a week have put them in contention with Scotland’s elite.
Memories of being cut adrift at the bottom of the table after 10 matches without victory have long been consigned to the past, but just as County remained optimistic at that point, Mackay believes they will have no issues keeping their composure now.
“They’ve been level headed all season,” he stressed.
“Don’t get high on your own supply, stay calm. Don’t get too low in that 10 game run without a win.
“The belief inside the camp in terms of how we can play, how they apply themselves, was always there.
“It is the exact same now, but I know there are a group of teams in there that are all in a little block.
“Any one of them could go on a little run or on a bad run, us included.
“Our first order of business is to make sure we stay in this division. After that, we start looking at where we are. There are three games to the split now and we’ll see where we are then, and take it from there.”
Saturday’s three points over St Mirren also marked the first time County have won three consecutive games since the final matches of last season, when they needed the points to remain in the top flight.
Then, though, the matches spanned two weeks rather than seven days, so Mackay paid tribute to his players’ physical and mental strength.
“Both wingers worked hard and carried the ball 50 yards on separate occasions, getting bums off the seats,” he added.
“That’s down to their willingness and fitness to do that. That’s what this group has got having got back at 2am after Wednesday’s game.
“It’s great credit to our staff to help the players recover and prepare, so we were absolutely ready to rumble (on Saturday).
“Through all the trips back in the early hours, coming in after five or six hours for the debrief, they have kept that up. That’s what professionals are – they have a steeliness about them.”
