Malky Mackay tips several young prospects to break into Ross County first team in years to come as former Scottish FA performance director runs the rule over early loan performances at Highland League clubs
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Ross County manager Malky Mackay says he has been impressed by the starts made by the club’s youngsters out on loan.
This summer several young Staggies made temporary moves away from Dingwall, including Connall Ewan and Ryan MacLeman to Forres Mechanics and Logan Ross back to Lossiemouth.
They follow the lead of Adam Mackinnon and Matthew Wright, who impressed at Brora Rangers last season and have now moved to Montrose on loan.
At 16 year old, Ewan has particularly caught Mackay’s eye, and the County boss believes it is a crucial move for the prospects’ developments.
“I’m so impressed with the maturity of Connall,” he said.
“It’s why I decided to put him straight out on loan, because I know he can handle it. He has come into first team training and he was one we were looking at whether to bring him in yet or give him another year with the under-18s.
“It has been a great decision, because he immediately got up to speed with men’s training. We played Forres out there and they immediately asked for him, and we wanted him to get as much Highland League action as possible at the start of his journey.
“Ryan he has been with us for a year as the baby of the group, but he needed to go out and play. Logan is at Lossiemouth again, which is good for him as well.
“It’s great grounding for these young ones, who could still be playing under-18s football or development football.
“They are not, they are playing against men. A few weeks ago Connall was up against one of the best players in the Highland League (Garry Wood) and was outstanding. It’s terrific experiences for them.”
Mackay has often spoken about the need for clubs like Ross County to produce from within, and it was a big focus of his previous role with the Scottish FA.
It is important that decisions are tailored to individuals, with other potential stars of the future not sent out on loan, but Mackay feels the future is bright.
“I’m also delighted for young Dylan Smith who got called up to the Scotland under-17s,” Mackay added.
“I want to keep him in with us. He’s even younger, he was 15 up until two months ago, so he has just crept in, but he’s another one I have got a lot of hopes for.
“We have this wee group here that, unless something crazy happens, will end up with a real good chance of playing for our first team. That will be over a period of time, we need to bed them in over a couple of years."
