Ross County manager Malky Mackay insists his preference is for Matthew Wright and Adam Mackinnon to remain on loan at Montrose beyond the new year.
Forward Wright and midfielder Mackinnon, who are both from Lewis, have made a strong impression during their spell with the League One side.
Both players joined Stewart Petrie’s men in July, representing a step up for the pair following successful stints with Brora Rangers in the Highland League last term.
Although they are on season-long loans at the Gable Endies, County have the option to recall them in January.
Mackay is thrilled with the way Wright and Mackinnon have developed with the Angus side and is keen for them to continue where they are – unless County find themselves short of options.
Mackay said: “They are two players who have absolutely affected Stewart’s team.
“It’s just a matter of keeping it steady as it goes. We will have a chat at Christmas, because we’ll need to see what the lie of the land for our squad is before deciding whether they go back out again in January.
“I would hope they will, but I’ve got to look after my own squad first.
“Their progress is pleasing for the long term goal of Ross County Football Club. There’s now a pathway again, because during Covid things stopped slightly.
“We look to our youth players, and ones we have real eyes on in the elite side, and try to give them a pathway to get through to becoming a Ross County first team player.”
Wright has shown eye for goal
Wright, who is 20, grabbed headlines last season when he netted a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw against Rangers at Victoria Park.
Since joining Montrose he has netted five goals in 16 appearances, including a double in an impressive 2-0 win over leaders Dunfermline last month.
Mackay says Wright’s goalscoring instincts can make him a hugely effective attacking option if other parts of his game can be honed.
He added: “Matty has things he knows he needs to add to his game to make him a more rounded centre forward. We need to keep working on that, but he’s got a great eye for goal.
“He had 18 goals in the Highland League before Christmas last year. He came on and scored in the Premiership against Rangers, and then he came on for 20 minutes and banged in two against Dunfermline.
“Matthew knows where the goal is, we just need to get him to the point where he becomes a centre forward that can keep handling men’s football and add more roundedness to his game, but he knows that.”
Mackinnon’s ball control ranks highly among County squad
Mackinnon was also handed game time towards the end of last season, coming off the bench in a 4-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox before making his first start in the final game of the season at home to Dundee United.
The 19-year-old has also impressed at Montrose, winning two man of the match awards during October.
Mackay says an emphasis has been placed on developing Mackinnon’s physicality, insisting his technical ability is not in question.
The Staggies boss added: “I’m really excited about Adam. He’s a midfielder that has as good ball control as anyone I’ve seen at the football club.
“The two of them are islanders as well, and there’s a real robustness to them. But Adam was about three stone when he was wet, so we’ve had to build him up in terms of physicality.
“He goes to Montrose on a Thursday and Friday, and we’ve got him here the rest of the week. We’ve got him in the gym for three days a week to strengthen him up.
“He’s getting taller, so he’s at a really good height, but we need to broaden him out a little bit and he’s starting to handle men’s football at a really good level.
“He scored against Falkirk, and them and Dunfermline are two top clubs.”
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