Post-match reaction courtesy of Malky Mackay and Ross Callachan and three takeaways from Ross County's defeat to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership
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Ross County's Scottish Premiership campaign suffered another setback as they lost 3–1 to defending champions Celtic yesterday.
So early in the season, there is no reason to worry – and the mood in Dingwall is still positive despite the Staggies' opening two results.
With no points on the board so far then, what were the stand-out features of County's performance against the Glasgow giants? Sports reporter Andrew Henderson was at the match in Dingwall, and here's what he took away from the game.
Efficient man marking
Going in, most Ross County fans would probably have taken a point – that's a mark of the strength of Celtic's squad and how strong favourites they would have been to win.
That was reflected in the balance of play yesterday too. Celtic dominated possession and territory throughout the game, but it wasn't always easy going for them to find a route through to goal.
Yes, they scored three times, but two of those goals came in the last five minutes plus stoppage time – County were right in it until the very end.
In part, that was because of how they marked Celtic. In the first half especially, it seemed like Cameron Carter-Vickers had the most touches of the ball, because options in front of him were often limited with Ross County going man-to-man.
Dominic Samuel at number 10 stuck close to Callum McGregor. Ben Paton never left Josip Juarnovic's side. Everyone in that County team had a job, and they stuck to it well – to the point that Celtic didn't break the deadlock until after half time, and really Ross Laidlaw did not have a major save to make in the first half.
More than the effect on the scoreline, though, what that showed was a belief. To mark and defend like that against a team in the bottom half of the table would be impressive, but to do it against a team as free-flowing and high-scoring as Celtic shows the guts that this County team has – and their belief that they can get a result against anyone in the division.
Malky Mackay: “We knew that Celtic score most of their goals in the first half, they blow teams away and see games out.
"I felt that if we played in a way with certain players in certain positions and don't allow them into areas I think Celtic really expose teams in, then we could give ourselves a chance. The midfielders all had a very specific task.
"We needed to play in a manner that negated what Celtic did. I felt we did that."
Strength in depth
Malky Mackay's selection for yesterday's match may well have raised a few eyebrows. At the very least it left people wondering exactly what the formation was before kick off, and who would be where.
Lining up with four naturally central midfielders was by design, as it helped with County's man marking tactics to have more defensively disciplined players.
What was particularly striking for me, though, was the abundance of attacking talent that left on the bench.
At various times in pre-season and the Premier Sports Cup group stage Owura Edwards, Yan Dhanda, Josh Sims, Victor Loturi and Kazeem Olaigbe had all impressed. Jordan White scored the Staggies' only goal at Tynecastle last weekend, but all of them started on the bench – and that's not even to speak of William Akio who missed out after undergoing knee surgery.
Edwards did come on alongside Loturi at half time to inject a different spark going forward, and White was thrown on in the final stages, but it speaks to the depth of talent that Mackay has recruited this summer that he could have thrown on any one of the names listed and supporters would have seen it as a positive change.
You have to believe that it bodes well for County this season that they do not just have quality in key areas, but different match-winning options that they can call on in the coming months.
Malky Mackay: "I think they all made an impact. (Edwards) lit it up last week and he worked hard today, getting to Celtic players who thought they had more time on the ball than they did.
"There were so many good performances today. As a unit we worked very hard and you need to do that against Celtic.
“I am delighted with the strength and depth I have got – I even left my club captain off the bench."
Callachan steps up into a leadership role
Watching from the sidelines, I could see Ross Callachan being more vocal on the pitch than I could remember seeing him before.
In a lot of ways it makes sense. Although he only signed last summer, as Malky Mackay's first recruit after taking charge Callachan is already one of the longest-serving players in Dingwall.
His hard work has never been in question, but it looked as though the 28-year-old may be increasingly comfortable being a leader on the pitch by holding his teammates to account and being in constant communication with them on top of what he individually does with the ball.
It may be one to keep an eye on – after all, Ross County had one of the youngest squads in the Premiership last season and although I can't profess to know everything about every player signed by Premiership clubs this summer, I don't expect that to change.
Callachan's experience, both of Scottish football and from the number of games he has played in his career, could prove vital. Based on his actions against Celtic, it wouldn't surprise me to see him with the captain's armband if Jack Baldwin and Keith Watson are both off the pitch.
Ross Callachan: "I feel like I always try and help others on the pitch.
"I'm experienced now, I've probably played over 200 games in Scotland, so if I can help the new lads coming in on the pitch then it helps me as well.
"It gets me going when I'm on boys, so as long as it's helping the team I'll happily shout and scream and give them instructions."
