Ross County part company with ex-Celtic defender Malky Mackay

Former Celtic defender Malky Mackay has become the Scottish Premiership’s latest managerial casualty with Ross County confirming this morning that they have parted company with Big Malky after just over two years in the Highland hot-seat up in Dingwall.

Celtic v Ross County – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Ross County manager Malky Mackay and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers right after the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday August 5, 2023. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xStevexWelshx 73240900

Ross County went into the international break in second bottom spot, with just a goal difference of two more than bottom side Livingston but Ross County have a game in hand. Both sides have just ten points after 12 games for Ross County and 13 for Livingston while St Johnstone have jumped up to tenth on 11 points having also played 12 matches.

Surprisingly Aberdeen aren’t too far from being dragged into a relegation dog-fight as they have just 12 points from 11 matches and of course next up for Barry Robson’s side is a visit from second placed theRangers to Pittodrie after the international break and there will be plenty of fun and games at zdrapki online of the former Celtic warrior in charge of the Dons gets them back on track after their 6-0 hammering at the weekend at Celtic Park and bounces back to complete a memorable double over theRangers ahead of the two sides meeting in the Viaplay Cup Final at Hampden on Sunday 17 December.

A statement on the official Ross County website confirmed that Malky Mackay had left the club. It reads as follows.

Ross County Football Club can today announce that it has parted company with manager Malky Mackay.

Malky joined the club in the summer of 2021 and had great success in leading the team to a Top 6 finish and a manager of the year nomination in his first season. His determination and drive to succeed was a contributing factor in saving Ross County from relegation at end of season 2022/23 with the now historic penalty shoot-out play-off win against Partick Thistle in Dingwall.

But, after a meeting between Malky, Chairman Roy MacGregor and CEO Steven Ferguson, the club have decided that a change is now required.

The Chairman said “Malky has brought so much more to the club and the wider staff than just football management. The board would like to put on record our thanks for his contribution over the last 2 ½ years and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career.”

In his playing career Malky Mackay played for Queens Park before joining Celtic where he played 45 matches scoring six goals, memorably a brilliant header to knock Rangers out of the Scottish Cup (see below).  After Celtic, he headed south of the border, joining Norwich City before playing for both West Ham and Watford.

Looking back at his time at Celtic in 2021, Big Malky had this to say about the Celtic team he was part of:

“I was in awe of some of the players I played with in that team. Paul McStay is the best player I have played with and he is in midfield. Di Canio, Van Hooijdonk and Thom up top – it was remarkable the players we had. Cadete was also involved. It was a swashbuckling Celtic side and that certainly looks to be the way this Celtic team has been playing over the last few weeks.”

Malky’s had his problems in the game, not least the racism row he got himself involved in, but he’s always been a decent manager and has always been a Celtic supporter. We wish him all the best for getting back in to work.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

Comments are closed.