Manager Malky Mackay praises character and resilience of Ross County after Staggies were reduced to 10 men thanks to Ross Callachan's red card but still went on to beat Kilmarnock in Dingwall through Owura Edwards' winner
Malky Mackay was delighted with the character his Ross County side showed as they picked up their first Premiership win of the season against Kilmarnock.
It was not plain-sailing by any means, with multiple flash points in the game following questionable challenges – which ended up seeing County midfielder Ross Callachan sent off.
At that stage the scores were level, but the Staggies proved they have plenty of resilience to go on to claim a winner through Owura Edwards, and after the full time whistle went Mackay hailed the effort from his players.
“It was always going to be a tough encounter," he reasoned.
"It was a typical SPFL game, rough and tumble. I was delighted with the character of the team to stand up to that and then still go forward and pick passes.
“When we go down to 10, they had that nerve to actually go and attack, rather than just sitting camped in.
“I still thought we could hurt them, even with 10 men. Eventually we do, and we get the rewards for that.
“I was delighted (Owura) kept playing. I asked the fourth official and they were just about to blow for a penalty.
"I've been talking to the wide guys about not hanging out wide when balls are coming in from other areas – they have to be in about it. It worked really well last year with Regan Charles-Cook last year hanging about at the back, so I've been speaking to Owura (Edwards), (Josh) Sims and Kazeem (Olaigbe) about that.
“I liked the character we showed. We made this a fortress up here last year and it is a difficult place for teams to come.”
READ MORE: Three takeaways from Ross County's win over Kilmarnock
Questionable challenges, but officiating in kind?
The major talking point after the match was refereeing decisions, with Callachan shown a second yellow but arguably deserving a straight red the first time he went into the referee's notebook.
While Kilmarnock can feel aggrieved about that, County can point to a handful of decisions themselves – with a penalty claim in the first half turned down and a flailing arm from Lee Donnelly that caught Callum Johnson just two examples.
Mackay had no complaints over Callachan's eventual dismissal, and believes over the course of the match the decisions evened themselves out.
“I thought the officials were good because it was a rough and tumble Premiership game," Mackay insisted.
“I’ve not no qualms about the two bookings for the sending off.
“There were other tackles, but I’m relaxed enough. Donnelly’s arm into Callum’s face is a sending off and we should have had a penalty, but the opposition can claim a few things as well. It was one of those days.
“I’m disappointed we went down to 10 men, but so delighted we went to 10 and then took the game to Killie to go and win it.”
