Manager says last day drama was blessing in disguise for Ross County
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MALKY Mackay reckons Ross County’s incredible last-day escape act in June has re-energised the whole club and its community.
With just 19 minutes of the play-off second leg left, the Staggies looked dead and buried against Partick Thistle, at 3-0 down on aggregate.
Then came Yan Dhanda’s 71st minute penalty, Simon Murray’s second a minute later and George Harmon’s 91st minute leveller. With the Jags’ travelling faithful traumatised, Mackay’s men held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 5-4.
The delirious scenes on the park at the end played out like a cup final success, breaking down barriers between players and fans for the first time since Covid.
Mackay knows that just a couple of wins earlier in the campaign would have spared the Staggies the angst and nail-biting tension.
But while he would have grabbed a “boring” 10th place finish with both hands at the time, the former Cardiff City manager feels the flirtation with failure has been a blessing in disguise.
Season ticket sales have soared to 1700 this summer – 23.5 per cent up on last year’s tally already.
The buzz at the stadium and in and around Dingwall is palpable, with images like George Harmon being hoisted on fans’ shoulders becoming iconic.
Mackay, preparing for Morton’s League Cup visit tomorrow, reflected: “They’re the magic moments you’ll never forget in your career: George up on people’s shoulders, Ross Laidlaw in the dug-out with all the fans behind him. Our fans on that pitch made for an unforgettable day
“Fans in other parts of the country saying ‘what the heck’s just happened there?’ I’ve heard stories of people jumping up and down on sofas all over the country. These are moments people should hold onto and I’m certain our fans do. Stadiums need memories attached to them and ours has had its share over the years, but this was another one. For some younger fans, it was maybe their first. As players, you should take it all in.
“It is amazing what that day has done for us. You finish ninth, it is boring, but last season’s finish certainly wasn’t boring!
“Off the back of what we experienced, there has been a real buzz about going into the new season.”
Mackay will tomorrow look to add a second group stage victory to the 5-1 win County secured at Stranraer in the opener, with Morton heading north after wins over Stranraer and Kelty Hearts. Minor injuries mean Alex Samuel, Josh Reid, Eamonn Brophy, Ross Laidlaw, Jordan Tillson and Jordy Hiwula miss out.
