Ross County manager Malky Mackay seeing a difference in young Canadian midfielder Victor Loturi as former Cavalry FC man settles into life in Dingwall and Scottish Premiership
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Malky Mackay believes summer signing Victor Loturi is getting better with every passing week.
The Canadian midfielder made the move to Ross County in June from Cavalry FC in Canada’s top flight, but after an encouraging start to life in Dingwall has had to be patient for his chance.
He made a cameo appearance against Dunfermline in the Premier Sports Cup, before completing his first 90 minutes the following week against East Fife in the same competition – where he even found the back of the net.
Loturi then played a half against Celtic in both the Premiership and League Cup, as well as against Rangers in league action.
Most recently he came on after the hour mark in last Saturday’s 0–0 draw with St Johnstone, but it is in training where Mackay has been impressed by the 21-year-old.
In particular, Mackay felt Loturi shone in a training match the Staggies played when their game against Motherwell was postponed two weeks ago.
The hope, then, is that the player will be able to translate that increased comfort level into matchday displays.
“Victor Loturi is starting to really settle in,” Mackay said.
“It hasn’t been easy, because he has come over from Canada. His brother has come in as well which is good, but in the pre-season games he got a taste of it and he’s still getting up to the intensity of the Scottish league.
“It’s the intensity of training which is different for him, he says that himself.
“There’s clearly talent there, because he keeps the ball so well, it’s just getting him in to the way of things at the club and once that’s there, getting him in to the way of things in the league.
“It’s a little unfortunate, because the games he has played in are the Old Firm games, and those are the biggest tests.
“He only came off at half time (against Rangers) because he had been booked, and I didn’t need a sending off at that point, but they are tough for everybody.
“I was delighted with how he did in that training game, and his brother did well as well.
“It has been a slow start for (William Akio) because of the injury, but he showed a real desire in that final third to want to make a difference.”
Loturi will have to wait for his next chance to make an impact on the pitch, as Ross County do not play this weekend due to the international break.
They instead return to action on home turf next Saturday against Edinburgh outfit Hibernian.
