Decision on Brora Rangers loanees Matthew Wright and Adam Mackinnon will not be made by Ross County manager Malky Mackay until January
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Malky Mackay admits the future of Matthew Wright and Adam Mackinnon’s Brora Rangers loan deals will remain in doubt until after the new year.
There is an option for the talented Ross County youth graduates to stay with the Sutherland club. Both have made a huge impact since arriving at Dudgeon Park in August.
But Staggies’ manager Mackay will take time during County’s Premiership winter break to consider whether the teenagers will be best-served by a longer spell in the Highland League.
Alternatives include fresh loan deals at lower SPFL level or, given how impressed Mackay has been with the Stornoway-raised duo, a return to compete for places within the Dingwall first team set-up.
Similar decisions will be made for loanees Tom Grivosti (Elgin City), Logan Ross (Lossiemouth), Ben Williamson (Nairn County) and Ryan McLeman (Clach).
Wright (19) moved into outright position as HFL top scorer at the weekend on 21 goals this season after a double in the 4–0 victory at home to Deveronvale.
Mackinnon (18) has shown great maturity in his midfield displays and exhibits a great touch and vision on the ball
Mackay said: “We’ve got five young guys out on loan who train with us every day, all terrific young boys.
“The two up at Brora, our Stornoway twins, are really kicking on. They are both impacting massively. For Matty to be top goalscorer in the Highland League shows us he knows where the goal is – he smells goals.
“That’s something you cannot teach. He’s gone there to become a more rounded centre forward and be able to take the hits, and give it back.
“He could come back into our group, or go off on the next step in his journey.
“Adam Mackinnon has been an ever-present since his first couple of weeks up there and that speaks volumes. Again, he’s a terrific young pro, so comfortable on the ball.
“Those two are really beginning to chap on the door. For all of them, the target is to put on that Ross County jersey and get out and play for the first team.
“They need to make sure they end up becoming a player for us, their home club, and then hopefully they go on to be sold for millions and play for Scotland.
“Those two are chapping on the door. There’s a period in January when they will come back to us and then there will be a decision as to what happens next.”
With Brora’s Highland League Cup opponents Brechin City on Scottish Cup duty, the Cattachs face Huntly at home tomorrow in a rearranged league tie.
