'We've got to do better' – Ross County manager Malky Mackay disappointed with Staggies' performance in final third during defeat to Hearts
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Malky Mackay was left frustrated by Ross County's performance in the final third against Hearts as they fell to a 1-0 defeat.
The Staggies conceded the majority of possession to their visitors, but despite not testing Jambos stopper Zander Clark did have chances to break their duck.
Perhaps the most glaring was a chance for Connor Randall towards the end, which the full back-turned-midfielder hit into the ground, with the ball bouncing out of play.
Those chances meant Mackay felt his side would have been good value for a point, but there was a clear area for improvement.
"I think over the piece a draw was probably a fair result," Mackay stressed.
"We knew the threats they had, especially Shankland who is a clever player, and we managed that really well and thought that as the game went on we would kick on.
"It's the top end of the park I thought we should have been better. The quality that's usually there wasn't today, so that's probably what I'm most disappointed about.
"The ball went into the final third and didn't stick as well as it should have, and near the end especially we have chances but don't test their goalkeeper, and that's what annoys me. We've got to get better at that.
"It wasn't just our attackers. Ben Purrington has a great chance that you're thinking will stay on target, and then Connor Randall bounces one into the ground too close.
"It's those three chances where we're inside their box and they are free shots – one of those, at our level, should hit the target."
After three defeats in the space of six days, twice against Aberdeen and then this weekend's loss to Hearts, the solid start to the season that had Staggies supporters optimistic about the 2023/24 campaign is at risk of being undone.
With results elsewhere, defeat in Dingwall dropped County down to 11th in the Premiership table.
Mackay, though, knows better than most that things can turn around quickly in football, and he believes the root to future success is going back to basics and excelling in them.
"We've had a tough week, and we've had three defeats," he admitted.
"The first thing you do is recognise that and see that for what it is, and not brush that under the carpet, but at the same time you have to take it in perspective.
"We weren't good at Pittodrie, but I thought we were excellent on Wednesday night and I think a balanced view is that we were worthy of a point against Hearts.
"At the same time, we'll come back in next week and get back on to the training field to get back into things again.
"I've been here before in my career, and you recognise that there are tough periods. There is no magic wand to turn that around, you just have to go out and do the basics correctly, and that slips you back into a vein of form again."
