Ross County are bottom of the Premiership – but manager Malky Mackay senses his reshaped side are close to hitting the ground running.
Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat against Hearts took the Staggies back below Dundee United on goal difference – just 24 hours after the Tangerines tumbled to 12th on the back of their own 1-0 loss to Motherwell.
While the Jambos clash went against them, the Dingwall faithful seemed largely upbeat as their side asked big questions of last season’s third-placed finishers, who called on goalkeeper Craig Gordon several times to ensure an away victory.
It was another big rebuild in the summer for Mackay after the club secured a sparkling sixth spot finish last term.
Including loan signings, there were 10 new arrivals at the Global Energy Stadium, so it was always going to take time to find their feet, with only goalkeeper Jake Eastwood having tasted Scottish football before – at Kilmarnock.
County starting to come together
Having watched his side press Hearts until the very end, Mackay explained a number of those involved are impressing him as County hunt down just their third victory of the season when St Mirren visit this weekend.
He said: “Yan (Dhanda) has come here, he hasn’t played too much football before coming to Scottish football, but as the weeks go on you can see him growing.
“He is really starting to impose himself on games, his comfort on the ball and his range of passing is terrific.
“Owura (Edwards) has come into it as well and, for someone getting used to the league, used to playing at this intensity, you can see he is beginning to get there.
“Victor Loturi came on just after half-time against Hearts and you could see the how calm he was on the ball. At all points, he was calm. He shifted it and moved it.
“So, it’s coming together. It’s like last season, because it’s a new group coming together.
Goals will come, insists Mackay
“What we have to make sure we do is start finishing games off.
“We are creating a lot of chances, which on one hand is very frustrating, but, on the flip side, it’s encouraging.”
And Mackay has good reason to believe fortunes will turn, because his side had 15 shots on target against Robbie Neilson’s Gorgie side compared to the 11 they faced.
He added: “In the last couple of weeks, we’ve played really well, with good possession, great crosses and (many) attempts on target, so if we keep playing like that the goals will go in.”
Two away tests before World Cup
After hosting the Paisley Saints, who are currently sixth, County travel to Hibs on Tuesday, November 8, and Celtic on Saturday, November 12.
The World Cup in Qatar then takes centre stage, with the Premiership returning for County on Saturday, December 17, with a home fixture against St Johnstone.
County and Dundee United are locked at the bottom with nine points, which is three points away from Kilmarnock, who host Livingston on Friday night.
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