HAYLEY McQUEEN SKYSPORTS
AS THE daughter of a Scottish football legend, Hayley McQueen has been in and around the sport for her entire life. But she hit the big time just over a year ago when she became the face of the Scots game for Sky Sports. Buckinghamshire-based Hayley – daughter of Leeds, Manchester United and Scotland hero Gordon McQueen – is now looking forward to her second season in the prestigious gig. Hayley, 38, travels north at weekends to cover games with regular analysts Kris Commons and Kris Boyd. The job offer came out of the blue last summer. She said: “A couple of days before the season started, they needed someone to head up for Celtic unfurling the league flag at their opening game and then a Rangers game the following day. “I was in the middle of a run of Sky Sports News shifts but, before I knew it, I was up in Glasgow presenting back-toback games – and it went well. Once you’re involved in Scottish football, you become more passionate about it.”
Hayley will front coverage of Steven Gerrard’s league debut managing Rangers when they face Aberdeen tomorrow.
She has worked with Sky since 2006, minus four years with Manchester United TV, and is loving the challenge of fronting the Scottish game.
She said: “I don’t think about the pressure. All I care about is doing a good job and getting the best out of the people I work with. I don’t have the knowledge that someone like Kris Boyd has and that’s fine. I have the understanding and a passion for it and am concerned with making sure we have a really slick programme.”
Gordon recently survived a larynx cancer fight. She said: “He didn’t want me to get into working in football and sport but he’s happy with the way things have turned out. I was the eldest and the one that was taken to football first. I’ve always had an interest in the game.” ● Aberdeen v Rangers, Sky Sports Football tomorrow at 1pm.
I make sure we have a really slick programme HAYLEY McQUEEN ON HER SCREEN ROLE