Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
HEARTS TO GET CUT OF CUMMINGS DEAL
appearances than any previous United goalkeeper.
That was despite facing stiff competition for the jersey from another fans’ favourite and a young Hamish McAlpine, who would, of course, go on to pass Mackay’s 243 games, and some.
Mackay though, is still remembered as a man who played an important role in the successes under Kerr and United’s rise to become a force at the top end of Scottish football.
He was in the goal when United beat their more-illustrious neighbours Dundee 5-0 in a derby at Dens Park in September 1965. Despite being pressed hard by Sandy Davie, he continued as No 1 for the rest of that campaign that saw United finish European qualifiers for the first time.
He missed out on the famous Fairs Cup success over Barcelona after losing his place to Davie at the start of the next campaign. Mackay was back as No 1 and for the 1967/68 season and remained first choice until the younger McAlpine took over the duties on a regular basis in 1971.
Now at the veteran stage, he was released by Kerr’s successor Jim McLean in the summer of 1972.
Eight years later he was back in the city as manager at Dens Park. He clearly had not forgotten the good working relationship he’d enjoyed with Kerr, though, and for a time employed him as general manager at the Dark Blues.
TOMORROW . . . United legend Hamish McAlpine.
Hutchie in 2012/13 following his release by the Tynecastle outfit.
Cummings ultimately joined Hibs in the summer of 2013 and went on to bag 69 goals in 148 games.
The 21-year-old signed a three-year deal at the City Ground and says former Rangers boss Warburton was the main reason for the switch.
Cummings said: “It is a massive club and I played against the manager’s team a couple of years ago and I like the way they played.
“I want to play football and score goals and the way that the manager’s teams play, they normally create a lot of chances so I feel I am in the right team to create chances and, hopefully, I can get a few goals.”