Malky Mackay claims Celtic title success would be surpassed by Ross County European adventure among career highlights

Malky Mackay reckons leading Ross County into Europe would be up there with his top footballing achievements.

Mackay has taken charge of the national team, won a title with Celtic and managed in England – but winning a European football place for the first time in County’s history would be just as big for him.

Mackay’s side face Celtic and know a finish in the top five would allow Dingwall’s residents to look their passports out.

The Staggies boss said: “It would be up at the top, honestly.

“I’ve been lucky in my career in terms of where you end up and how it all works out. And for us to make the top six against the odds is up there.

“I am delighted the club have hit a position of strength going into the summer. Our owner can make a little less of a financial commitment and I can plan with Steven Ferguson (the chief executive) knowing we are not going into those last games worrying if we are going down or not.”

County sealed their Premiership top-six place with a win over Aberdeen but Mackay didn’t even know they had made it when the whistle went.

He said: “I was fixated on winning. I was going to shake the ref’s hand and I still didn’t know if we were in the top six or not. I had to ask someone.”