Ross County complete the signing of Inverness Caley Thistle star Kayleigh Mackenzie ahead of debut campaign in Scottish Women’s Football pyramid
Ross County Women have completed the signing of Inverness Caledonian Thistle star Kayleigh Mackenzie.
The 21-year-old has been a key player for the Caley Jags over a number of years, winning the club’s top scorer prize on multiple occasions and most recently being named in the SWF Championship team of the season for 2023/24.
That came off the back of a change of position for Mackenzie, who had started out as an attacker but moved back into midfield and again had to adapt to a role in central defence last season.
Her campaign was ended early because of a knee injury, but when she returns to action it will be in the dark blue of Ross County rather than ICT colours.
County are preparing to enter the Scottish Women’s Football pyramid for the first time, entering the SWFL North for the 2024/25 campaign.
The Staggies have made no secret of their ambition to go right to the top of women’s football in Scotland, and Mackenzie is excited about what the future may hold.
“I’ve also heard a lot of good things about County and what they’re trying to achieve over the next few years, and that really caught my eye,” she explained.
“I wanted to hear it for myself, so I met with Iain MacIver and Steven Ferguson. I can’t say too much about it just now, but it’s really exciting.”
“Obviously there are going to be some goals that are harder to achieve, but in time I think we will definitely be able to get them – especially with the resources we will be getting from County.
“That will range from kit, to maybe even a coach for away games, rehab plans for injured players, nutritionists. Basically all the stuff that the men’s team has will be mirrored in the women’s team.”
County head coach MacIver continued: “Kayleigh is a fantastic talent, so it’s a real coup for us that shows how we want to drive forward. She’s been in the Championship team of the year for two or three years running, so it’s a bit of a statement to back up the ambitious plans we have.
“We would like the most talented players possible to join us. There are other talented players in the Highlands and Islands League, and it’s just about whether they want to try making the step up when it would mean more travel.
“As a Premiership club, Ross County want to have a Premier League women’s team, so to move through the pyramid we are going to need players of that standard to drive us forward.
“It will be a continual process to improve the team and get players of Kayleigh’s calibre, who are definitely the players we are looking to bring in.”
County fans may have to be patient before seeing Mackenzie in action for the club, as she is currently recovering from a torn ACL.
The prospect of receiving more support in her recovery was another factor in making the switch across the Kessock Bridge, having initially suffered the injury against Dryburgh Athletic back in February.
“It shouldn’t take too long to recover from, but it depends on my orthopedic meeting where we’ll discuss if I need surgery or not,” Mackenzie reasoned.
“It was really just about my own rehab. I wasn’t really getting much at first because I didn’t know what was happening with my knee, but at the meeting with Ross County’s CEO he was explaining what the future holds, and that included medical stuff which really caught my eye.
“I just want to start healing. I could have gone private, but it was going to cost me £500, and Caley weren’t going to be able to pay for that.
“I get that people might be confused about me making this move, and I was thinking about when I come back from this injury.
“This is the worst injury I had, and could I jump straight back into Championship football when it’s so heavy hitting and physical? I decided to take that step down to give me that boost, and make me feel safe on the pitch.
“No disrespect to the North league, but they’re not as physical as the Championship girls. It will give me the base to start again and become the player I want to be.”
Reflecting on her time with Caley Thistle, Mackenzie added that she is grateful to manager Karen Mason for taking a chance on her and giving her the opportunity to play at a higher level.
“I was a 16-year-old girl coming from Stornoway, and Karen took that chance of letting me explore that option,” she said.
“That was my first year in senior women’s football, and I’m so glad I got that opportunity because it made me the player I am today.
“Being the top goalscorer in my first year was amazing, but the highlight was that game against Rangers. Even though we lost, it gave me that momentum to want to be a professional footballer and play at that level.
“If the team gets the backing we’ve been promised from the club, I don’t see why that wouldn’t be possible at Ross County.
“It’s all down to the girls in the club and whether they want to push ahead, and I think they do.
“We’re all on the same page about doing what’s best for the Highlands, and putting a platform there for girls to be able to be professional footballers here instead of having to move away to the central belt.”
