Junior fixtures washed out
Darian Mackinnon praised Hamilton Accies owner Ronnie Macdonald for the way he handled his exit from the club, and insisted there had been no fall-out.
The 34-year-old midfielder was released on Monday by the New Douglas Park club so he could sign for Championship side Partick Thistle.
But he says the blow of severing an eight-year link with the New Douglas Park club has been made easier because he is still a coach at the club, even if he’s not playing.
“I just need to play games,” he said. “I’m slightly disappointed that I haven’t had a chance to get back into the team, but there has been no fall out, I wasn’t being pushed out the door.
“The gaffer, Brian Rice, has been great; I said to him in his office there that I would love to call him every name under the sun, but I have so much respect for him and I’ve learned so much from him, on the playing and the coaching side.
“I’ll be here coaching every week, I’m going to see everybody constantly, so it’s not a sad goodbye.
“If I was cutting all ties with everybody I think I would be more emotional, but because I’m going to see everybody it’s not as bad.
“I met with the owner, Ronnie Macdonald, we had a wee 40-minute chat just because we’ve had a good relationship. He has kept me on my toes, to be fair, but I’d say we’re close, as close as you’ll get to Ronnie.
“He has paid my ‘B’ licence this year, he’s paying for my next one, which is my ‘A’, and he wants me to stay in the Academy, which is great.
“They could have just wiped their hands with me but they want me to stay here and, who knows, I could end up back here – you just never know.
“This club has treated me well, and the way it has been done has been brilliant.
“A lot of people say ‘mutual consent’ and it’s just ripped up and you fall out, but there has been no fall out.
“I’m gutted that I’m not going to play and put the shirt on and say ‘bye’ to the fans, but it is what it is.”
Mackinnon joined Hamilton Accies from junior side Clydebank in 2012 and was loaned out to Ayr United early on, but quickly became a regular in the team, a real fans’ favourite, and became first captain, and then club captain.
‘Daz’ admits he never thought he would have a career quite like the one he enjoyed at Hamilton, and says their promotion win against Hibs at Easter Road back in May 2014 is still a magical day for a player who was the last remaining member of the squad that day.
He said: “It has been great, I have loved every minute of it – probably not so much this season, as I’ve not been playing – but I wouldn’t change anything.
“It has been everything I thought it would be when I signed, and obviously now coaching is great.
“My favourite memory is definitely that day at Easter Road. You dream about it, but I didn’t think we would be able to do it, then the way that season went you realise that it’s getting closer.
“The way we did it ,winning on penalties and stuff... if you’re going to win a game to get up to the Premier League that was probably the best way to do it. That whole squad, the manager we had at the time, Alex Neil... there was a special bond there. That was the real Hamilton Accies.
“I was speaking to Ronnie about it and we agreed that was everything that we’re about here, and hopefully the gaffer here is going to get us back to being like that – high-tempo, aggressive, with a wee mix of quality.”
Mackinnon and Dougie Imrie are under-16 coaches at Accies, and Darian hopes coaching is his future – but not necessarily management.
He explained: “Me and Dougie work well together in the Academy.
“I’m not so sure that I would want to be a manager or a coach, that’s not something you can answer until it’s put to you, but I enjoy working as Dougie’s number two.
“We work really well together, we think the same of the game, but we challenge each other as well. We’re not just ‘yes’ men to each other; if one of us is doing something that we don’t like, we’re not slow in telling each other, and I think that’s what you need – honesty.
“Honesty in football is an easy word to say, but it’s really hard to find with a lot of people, believe it or not.”
Torrential rain caused a total wipeout of games involving Lanarkshire junior clubs.
Four Ardagh Group West of Scotland Cup second round ties were washed out , and they have been rescheduled for Saturday, February 15.
These were: Blantyre Vics v Muirkirk; Girvan v Newmains United; Lanark United v St Roch’s and Royal Albert v Kilbirnie Ladeside.
In the Mcbookie.com Championship, Shotts were due to visit Craigmark Burntonians.
Two derbies were scheduled in League 1, with Bellshill Athletic v Larkhall Thistle and Lesmahagow v Carluke Rovers called off.
In League 2, Forth Wanderers and Thorniewood United were to be at home to Yoker Athletic and Lugar Boswell Thistle, respectively.
It’s league action this weekend, subject to weather conditions.
In the Championship, Blantyre Vics are at Renfrew, while Shotts Bon Accord host St Roch’s.
Five county clubs are on the road in League 1, as Royal Albert visit Ardrossan, Wishaw are at Carluke Rovers, Lesmahagow are Maryhillbound, and Lanark United are at Shettleston.
Larkhall Thistle entertain
Kello Rovers.
Just Newmains United are at home in League 2, as they host Vale of Clyde, while Forth Wanderers are at Annbank United, and Thorniewood United visit Muirkirk.
The games will kick off at 1.45pm.
Meanwhile, Royal Albert have signed two young players from senior League One side Airdrie for the rest of the season.
Midfielder Aidan Meechan, who counts Forth Wanderers and Albert amongst his former clubs, and defender Josh Burke have both signed until June at New Broomfield. Both are 18.
Bellshill Athletic are holding a Speakers’night on Saturday, February 29, at St John Barco Hall in New Stevenston.
Speakers are Bill Copeland and former Motherwell player and coach Stephen Craigan. Tickets, costing £30, are available from any committee member.
And Bellshill Athletic Community Academy are looking to recruit players born in 2013.
Coaches are PVG checked and SFA accredited, and training and playing kit will be supplied.
If you are interested, email bhill2013@gmail.com for more details.