Laidlaw thrilled to extend stay at County

ROSS COUNTY goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw has signed a new contract that ties him to Dingwall until 2026. The ex-Hibs man has made more than 100 appearances since joining the Staggies in the summer of 2019. Laidlaw, 30, said: ‘It’s been fantastic to get this new contract in place. My family and I have really enjoyed our three-and-a-half years here so far and we now look forward to the challenges ahead here in the Highlands.’ Manager Malky Mackay added: ‘Ross has been a very important part of this club over the last three seasons and his experience and commitment is exemplary. Personally, I am delighted to keep Ross in Dingwall. ‘He is at the age now where he is becoming a real senior professional around the club and has made the Highlands a home for himself and his family. ‘Since I have been here, and also before I came in as manager, Ross has played a big part in the success of the club and it’s important to try and retain players that have experienced those big moments. ‘Ross also has a big hand in developing some of our younger goalkeepers and helping them to grow, which is invaluable.’

Meanwhile, Mackay insisted there was no disruption to his team for Monday’s draw at Aberdeen despite two players being left out for disciplinary reasons. County were also without the suspended Jack Baldwin and Owura Edwards, as well as the two unnamed players. Mackay said: ‘We had two suspended and then there were two who were not involved for internal disciplinary reasons. ‘It doesn’t make things easy on January 1, but that’s one of the things you’ve got to deal with as a manager. ‘I can’t elaborate, but it’s been dealt with and we’ll be fine going forward — as will the players involved. ‘They’ll be back in the group. We also had one of the boys’ wives rushed into hospital with her pregnancy. She’s fine and everything’s okay but that kind of disrupted things for him. Not for me, the game, or the team, just so we’re clear, but for him. ‘They’re all little things you have to deal with, but we had our process ready, as usual, and we knew what we had to do. Nothing was disrupted, really.’ Apart from Baldwin, William Akio and Victor Loturi were the only players who dropped out of the squad following last week’s defeat by Dundee United.