Ross County manager Malky Mackay wants his players to embrace fresh surroundings during their winter training camp in Edinburgh.
The Staggies have travelled to the capital, where they are training at the Oriam performance centre for the rest of this week.
County will then report back to Dingwall next week, ahead of their return to Premiership action at home to Motherwell on January 18.
Having given his players leave over the festive period following the 2-1 loss to Hearts on December 26, Mackay hopes a different environment can be beneficial.
In an interview with Ross County TV, Mackay said: “I think it’s important we had the opportunity to train inside this week. It’s very cold at the moment, the pitches are frozen and it’s great we have the facility here.
📍 Oriam, Edinburgh
We catch up with The Gaffer during today’s training session in the Capital pic.twitter.com/ISDX5FZq8g
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) January 5, 2022
“Ross Campbell and Oriam have been terrific in allowing us the pitch for the three days.
“It gives the players a little bit of change of scenery, training times and intensity. There’s a relaxed air around the hotel, allowing them to kick about in their casual clothes.
“There has been some swimming and walks. It’s important to give them a mindset change, but at the same time still get the training in.”
County’s players have enjoyed team bonding exercises during their time away from the training pitch, with the squad taking part in a go-karting competition on Wednesday.
Mackay hopes his squad can gain as much from their downtime as their physical sessions.
🏎 Drive to Survive 💨
High-octane competition on the track, but who would come out on top? pic.twitter.com/sFC2OSuHT7
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) January 5, 2022
He added: “It allows us to get a good chat with them in a different environment. Some of them go out for a walk or a coffee and they get to know each other even more.
“I get the chance to sit and have a chat with a couple of them, to see how they are feeling and how they are getting on.
“Having been away with their families over Christmas and New Year, they are ready to get back into it now.
“This week is really about enjoying themselves. We are putting the important training sessions in, but it’s about being around each other as well.”
Staggies boss keen to strike right bond with players
Mackay has overseen a fine run of form in recent weeks, which has helped the Staggies move off the bottom of the Premiership and into 10th place.
The County boss is aiming to strengthen the connection between his staff and the playing squad during the break.
He added: “It becomes part of what you would call the culture of a club.
“There are certain expectations I’ve got on them when they come into the club. I try to bring in good people, and good people will embrace situations like that.
“They want to keep working hard for each other. They take that on to the pitch, but we need to make sure there’s that little bit of understanding off the pitch.
“The communication between the staff and the players is important, that relationship is key to see the staff would do anything for the players at this club. That is returned in good faith.”