Spanish training camp will help refresh Malky Mackay's Ross County
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Malky Mackay admits the World Cup pause gave Premiership managers the rare luxury of a mobile phone-free break.
But while he enjoyed his brief November rest, the Ross County manager’s main hope is for his players to return with batteries recharged.
County flew out to the sunshine-kissed south of Spain on Sunday after a week off and a week’s work back in the Dingwall chill.
Usually, the mid-season pause in hostilities coincides with a frantic spell of transfer negotiation, with constant phone calls between Mackay, player agents and club officials.
Now encamped for seven days at the Pinatar training base near Cartagena, Mackay said: “It’s actually a longer lay-off than we had in the summer. Most of the Premiership managers gave their players the first World Cup week off. Celtic went to Australia, but planned a break the following week.
“After that, there were still four weeks. It allowed me to give staff time off, and really close the game down.
“I did not answer the phone for a few days. January is certainly not a break for the managers, because it’s so fervent with the amount of ins and outs from the squad.
"The World Cup allowed us all to have a wee rest after some intense weeks. We drew this plan up in July when the dates first came out, which allowed families to plan.
“Some players had city breaks, some took a week in the sun, while some were staying at home and painting the back bedroom.
“It allowed everybody a bit of downtime, but to come back ready and refocused.”
County previously visited Pinatar under Jim McIntyre’s management.
“It’s a place I know well as I took Scottish FA teams here four years in-a-row,” Mackay added.
“The training facilities and pitches are immaculate and easy to get to from the airport. It will be great for a week of good hard training, twice-a-day, with sun on our backs to make sure we are ready for challenges ahead.”
