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Ross County boss Malky Mackay hoping for clean bill of health following winter break

Malky Mackay.
Malky Mackay.

Ross County manager Malky Mackay believes the winter break comes at a good time despite the Staggies’ fine recent form.

County, who sat bottom of the table prior to Saturday, have moved three points clear of the relegation zone following back-to-back wins over St Mirren and Hibernian.

The Staggies make the trip to Celtic on Saturday before the Premiership shuts down for five weeks during the World Cup.

County’s fine form has come despite a number of players being sidelined in recent weeks.

Connor Randall, Ben Purrington, Ross Callachan and Ben Paton have all been sidelined with long-term injuries, while Jack Baldwin is also absent.

Mackay is eager to make the most of the opportunity to nurture his squad back to a clean bill of health.

Ross Callachan pulls up injured against Kilmarnock.

He said: “We have three or four injuries that, by the end of the St Johnstone week, we will be hoping to have most of them back.

“That will be really good for us, because over the last couple of weeks we are starting to become really threadbare.

“In the last couple of weeks I have had two goalkeepers on the bench, and a 16-year-old. There was one game where we didn’t fill the bench.

“It’s where we are at the moment, but there are plenty clubs in the same boat.”

Hoops will equally relish winter break

Celtic are seven points clear at the top of the league, but are no longer involved in Europe after exiting the Champions League at the group stage.

Following a busy spell of fixtures, Mackay believes his counterpart Ange Postecoglou will share the same anticipation of the break.

Mackay added: “Like anyone, I’m sure Ange is looking forward to getting to Sunday morning with as many fit and able bodies as possible.

Ange Postecoglou.

“He will have the World Cup to deal with as well, but I think everyone is looking forward to that break.

“We will all take stock of where we are with injuries, and try to get everybody fit again for five weeks later.

“He will be the same as everyone else. He has obviously had to deal with the Champions League as well, and the highs and lows of that.

“We are all looking forward to the point where we can get bodies back and get a fully fit squad ready.”

Staggies in buoyant mood ahead of Parkhead trip

Despite the difficult challenge that awaits the Staggies in Glasgow’s east end, Mackay believes his players will approach the trip with a spring in their step following the back-to-back wins.

He added: “It has been really pleasing. Points on the board make a big difference.

“I can remember last year we had a really good week where we won three games. We saw what it did in terms of points on the table.

Ross County boss Malky Mackay.

“It gave us just a little bit of confidence around the place.

“I will go back to the fact that performances also make a difference. A few weeks ago we played at Livingston and we got a great result, but we didn’t play that well.

“I look off the back of St Mirren on Saturday and Hibs on Tuesday night, and I’m looking at performances as well as results. It’s really pleasing.

“Without a doubt, after beating Hibs at Easter Road, and keeping a clean sheet in front of 15,000, there was a huge high coming into the dressing room after the game.

“I smile when I look at that, and I see the joy on their faces. I see the experiences they have got, and they want that all the time.

“If we keep replicating performances like that, results will come. We trust the process.”

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