Manager says area can attract new players to come to Ross County
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MANAGER Malky Mackay has revealed how he will go about attracting players to the Highlands for Ross County this summer.
It promises to be another busy time for the Staggies’ boss, who does not have a full matchday squad’s worth of senior players signed up for next season.
Throughout the 2021/22 campaign, Mackay tended to look towards England for new recruits.
Including loans, the former Watford, Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic boss brought in 13 players from south of the border, with just one – Ross Callachan – coming from another Scottish club and one – David Cancola – joining from Czech Republic outfit Slovan Liberec.
Plenty of work has to go in to convincing players to uproot their lives, and potentially their families, and move several hours north.
That, though, is a challenge Mackay is well-prepared for, as he makes potential signings aware of the area they are coming up to.
“I do my own ‘Visit Highlands’ spiel for them all, but I think when they come up and actually see that is the case they love it,” Mackay explained.
“It’s the same with any of the English boys that have come up, they have settled really quickly in terms of the lifestyle and what is around the area.
“It gives them the ability to just relax and play football. That’s a really important part of it when you move to another part of the country. I have done it myself various times.
“It helps if there is a warmth throughout a football club, and there certainly is at this club.
“I found it when I came, and it’s all down to the staff at the club who make people feel warm and welcome.
“They have done that here, but it also helps the area is nice as well – as it’s not always the case in certain parts of the UK which I have been to.”
Final decisions will also be made by out of contract players, with Blair Spittal already announcing his exit.
