Malky Mackay yet to make final decision on who Ross County's new captain will be
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No decision has yet been made on who will be named Ross County’s new captain, according to manager Malky Mackay.
Last season’s skipper and deputy, Iain Vigurs and Callum Morris, both left the club this summer as part of the overhaul of the playing squad, leaving the armband up for grabs.
Keith Watson led the Staggies out for their friendly away at Elgin City over the weekend, but while Mackay has been impressed with the experienced defender he is yet to make his final choice.
“He’s certainly someone I look at as a potential club captain,” Mackay said.
“That hasn’t been decided yet, but whether he plays or not Keith has a lot of qualities I like in a professional footballer.
“At this club he has applied himself so well over the last couple of years, and since I’ve came in he has been a model pro.
“He’s a guy others should look at to see how he acts, how he trains, how he applies himself, so that’s why he had the captain’s armband. We’ll see going forward on a Saturday how that goes.”
Another player who made an impact in Elgin was young attacker Matthew Wright, who scored arguably the goal of the match, rounding two defenders and then the goalkeeper to finish.
Three other teenagers got on the pitch too, and Mackay was optimistic about their potential for the future, adding: “We have Matthew, Adam MacKinnon, Ryan MacLeman, Ben Williamson and Ross Munro, the goalkeeper.
"Through circumstance they have been with us the last two weeks. In all honesty, they have not looked out of place.
"Ryan has just finished his exams who has got the most beautiful touch. He got in there against 30-year-old men and Matty has shown real quality there. It’s about learning the game and learning to go out there and play.
“Adam, in midfield, is one of the most comfortable midfielders I’ve seen. He's a young lad from Stornoway and we will continue his progress. We will do that with our local boys who we nurture properly over the next few years.
“They have to get to the point where they realise they are playing against men week in and week out. That takes a process and that is something I have been used to working with the Scottish FA and the youngsters.
“We know what we have do to within the Scottish Premiership. We have a duty to blood youngsters. I have always wanted at my clubs to bring through youngsters if they are talented enough.
"These boys are talented enough and they just need their pathway. We know how that should go and how that should be – then it needs a little luck, application and dedication from them, but I was delighted that those kids were on the pitch."
