Ross County manager excited at impact of new signings as Aberdeen looms
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MALKY Mackay admits he was thrilled by the potential shown by new signings Ben Paton and Harry Clarke against Rangers.
Canadian Paton, brother of midfielder Harry, arrived from Blackburn Rovers’ under 23s and was thrown straight into action against the champions in an unfamiliar left-back role. Clarke, an Arsenal loanee, also shone at centre half.
Both look certain to start at Aberdeen on Sunday given injuries to Jake Vokins and Jack Burroughs, with Mackay saying: “I’m absolutely delighted with young Ben Paton. I shouldn’t really have asked him to do that on Sunday – his first time playing at left-back. He’s a young midfielder and I threw him in for his Premiership debut at left-back against Scotland’s most attacking full-back James Tavernier.
“I had a lot of confidence in him, though, and he is so comfortable on the ball. His use of the ball under pressure was so calm. It bodes well for the future of Ben at this club, whether at left-back or midfield.
“Harry Clarke, I thought, was an absolute Rolls Royce at the weekend. That was his first start for us. As the game went on, he really grew and in the second half, especially, I thought he was terrific.
“He played a couple of fantastic passes and put Blair Spittal right through on goal at one point. There’s lots to
come from Harry.”
Ex-SFA performance director Mackay rates his last Pittodrie bow personally, while in temporary charge of the Scotland national team, as one of the proudest moments of his career.
He wants his County players to similarly revel in the big match atmosphere that is sure to greet the Dingwall team against Stephen Glass’s changed side.
Mackay added: “It’s a slightly different Aberdeen we’re facing and it is going to be another hard one for us.
“On Saturday against Rangers, it wasn’t as if there was an unbelievable gulf between the two teams. We play every team on its merits and aim for three points in every game we’ve got.
“Pittodrie, I believe, is going to be pretty busy spectator-wise and I’m delighted to go into another good atmosphere and test ourselves against another top team.”
