Inverness teenager Dylan Smith could captain Ross County in future
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Malky Mackay has once again reserved special praise for young Ross County defender Dylan Smith – and has not ruled out the 16-year-old one day captaining the Staggies.
Smith has been away with the Scotland Under-17 side that progressed to the next stage of qualifying for next summer’s Euros, picking up two wins and two clean sheets in the matches he started.
Mackay, who has a vested interest in that national youth teams anyway after spending four years as performance director at the Scottish FA, has been keeping a close eye on Smith’s performances in Malta.
He has been impressed with the youngster’s showings at a higher level.
Now, then, the task is to keep Smith focused and improving in Dingwall – but Mackay has tipped him for big things if he continues on the trajectory he is on.
“Dylan had two clean sheets in the two games that he played, and I’m so proud of him,” Mackay said.
“He has gone down there and walked into national football, continuing the progress we’ve seen from him.
“They have qualified for the elite round in March, and fingers crossed Dylan will be part of that to help Scotland get into the next phase – which would be the Euros in the summer.
“I’m delighted we’ve got a Scottish youth cap on our books. We’ll look after him here, and make sure he has a grounding.
“It has been a hell of a month for him from signing his contract, going to Ibrox and getting on the pitch with his mum crying over in the corner – it’s funny, she was way over at the far side and she wondered if it was him getting ready, but she didn’t quite know, so she was phoning someone to ask – and now he has pulled on a Scotland strip as well.
“I’m really happy for him, and we’ve just got to keep that going.
“He’s a terrific young talent, and we’ll gradually make sure he eases through to becoming a stalwart for the future – and a possible captain at this club.”
