Welsh forward's hard work earned chances for Ross County
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Malky Mackay says Alex Samuel’s hard work and conviction has earned him minutes on the pitch since returning from injury.
The 27-year-old did not play for nine months after suffering a cruciate injury in training last year, but finally returned to the pitch in January.
There had been talk – even between player and manager – of a potential loan move in order to maximise the amount of football Samuel would play before the end of the season, but instead the striker stayed in Dingwall and has made five appearances.
“I think he has been surprised with the amount of football I have given him,” Mackay said.
“It all stems from training. He worked so hard on so many aspects of his fitness when he was out with his knee injury.
“It’s a long time, nine months. Mentally you are in a dark place at times, and I think the strength of character of the boy and his family, and our people around the club have helped that.
“He has had time to reflect, and look at where he needed to improve as well.
“He has come straight back into it, hit the ground running and been super enthusiastic and aggressive in training. He has shown a desperate desire to want to make a difference.
“We had a chat, and we talked about whether it was best he go out and get some football at a point.
“His preference was to say he would like to stay in and help us in this situation. He has done that, and he has tried to make a difference in every game he has been on.”
Extra firepower was the main demand for County in January, with the club bringing in Eamonn Brophy, Simon Murray and Josh Stones. That Samuel was determined to stay and fight for his place, then, was exactly what Mackay wants to see from his whole squad.
“It’s great to see someone backing themselves like that, and having a strength of character,” he added.
“The boy has got that – he’s got a real faith. I want people like that. I want as many of them that have got real faith in themselves and a strength of character to say ‘I’m your man – play me’.
“The more of those we’ve got, that will do me fine. You are desperately looking for people with desire.
“We had a lot of conviction in the performance against Dundee United with those players.
“We are clearly down near the bottom of the table at the moment, but am I looking at a team that’s heads are down and they’re looking as if they have chucked it? Absolutely not.
“I’m looking at a team that’s full of conviction, and are making us a tough team to play against.”
