Why Ross County boss thinks a Highland League colts team is a bad idea
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MANAGER Malky Mackay says he would be against Ross County entering a colts team into the Highland League, saying the existing loan system is working well for the club.
With Rangers, Celtic and Hearts entering colts teams into the Lowland League, Mackay says the cost of entering a team into the lower leagues would be too much for most clubs.
But he says he is impressed with the standard of the Highland League and the opportunity it gives his youth players the chance to experience senior football.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle applied to enter a colts team into the Highland League in 2019.
But their application was rejected by the Highland League committee.
Ross County have no plans to establish a colts team at lower league level, with Mackay saying it would be a financial burden to most clubs.
He said: “The actuality of having a team like that is you are carrying a lot of players. To run a team in that division has a huge financial implication.
“You have to conform to everything the Highland League and Lowland League does. You need a set of staff that have to be there, physios, doctors, sport scientists and goalkeeping coaches.
“A much bigger club than us would have to be dealing with that. Even then, there is an argument for youngsters to train with men and play with men, as well as against them.”
Mackay says during his time at Ross County, he has become a fan of the Highland League.
He says it is a great grounding for his youth players to be tested out and decide if they have what it takes to make it at a higher level.
“Our lads train two nights a week with my team. Then they are training physically with men and they are playing with men in the Highland League, playing against men who are playing for part of their mortgage.
“It really means something going into a tackle and win challenges.
“There are ways of doing this and I am enjoying the way we do it at Ross County. We have a terrific league sitting on our doorstep and there are clubs galore sitting around about.”
Mackay says players such as Logan Ross going on loan to Lossiemouth, Andrew Macleod at Clachnacuddin as well as Connal Ewan and Ryan Macleman at Forres Mechanics have improved significantly.
“The difference between someone that bundles along as a 19’s player and trains against somebody who plays against men over a period is they improve quicker.”
