Levein broke my Heart but I don’t bear grudges and it helped me to get out of my comfort zone
MacDonald has no bad feeling towards manager who axed him after 11 years
JAMIE MacDONALD insists he holds no grudges against Craig Levein despite being dumped by him at Hearts.
The Kilmarnock keeper will today come up against the man who helped deliver the bombshell news his Tynecastle career was over.
MacDonald’s last real encounter with the Jambos boss came three years ago when they met in his office on a day of chaos in Gorgie.
On Ann Budge’s first day as the new owner 31-year-old MacDonald was the first of five players told they were being axed with Gary Locke and Billy Brown also binned.
Levein was given carte blanche to restructure the football department and delivered the news, along with new boss Robbie Neilson, to MacDonald his days at Hearts were over.
An 11-year association with the club ended in just a two-minute meeting and MacDonald admitted it left him fearing for his future career.
But he recovered from the devastation and after a stint at Falkirk is now at Rugby Park and preparing to face his old club at Murrayfield tomorrow – and Levein who is back in the dugout.
MacDonald said: “I’ve seen Craig Levein about but the last time I encountered him and properly spoke to him was the day I left Hearts.
“But I don’t hold any grudges. That’s football and you have to accept that’s part of the game.
“Players move on and managers move on.
“At the time it was obviously a shock because there was a lot going on and nobody knew exactly what was happening.
“At that point it was a low point but you get over it very quickly. I can smile now.
“I had been there my whole career, almost half my life, apart from an 18-month loan spell at Queen of the South.
“I was low but it was probably a little bit of fear more than anything because you are thinking, ‘What’s next?’ after being there year to year, getting contracts and being in my comfort zone.
“Sometimes it can be for the better, sometimes you need a change and maybe that was something I needed.”
MacDonald confessed he is surprised to see Levein back on the frontline but believes he can bring much-needed stability to the Jambos. He said: “After being so long out the dugout and having a director of football role already, it was a bit of a shock to some people to see Craig back. “But he’s a good manager and has done well, especially in Scotland where his record is good, and Hearts just need a bit of stability. It didn’t really work out for Ian Cathro.” Kilmarnock are looking to bounce back from the disappointment of their 3-0 midweek defeat to Hibs after back-to-back draws away to the Old Firm under new boss Steve Clarke.
The scoreline flattered Neil Lennon’s side in Ayrshire and MacDonald said: “It’s not often you get clapped off after losing 3-0 but the fans appreciated our workrate and display.”
Clarke hopes the appreciation from a crowd of 5000 is the start of getting the fans back on side after a deterioration in the relationship between the supporters and the club in recent years.
The Killie boss said: “I know there was a slight disconnection between the club and the fans.
“It is important we bridge that gap and get the fans back on side. My first home game was positive and if we keep working to close the gap then it is good for everyone here.
“Most supporters will back the team if they see they are giving everything and you saw that on Tuesday.”