Mackay looks back at Europe Testimonial man’s special memories
European football provided former St Johnstone stalwart Dave Mackay with memories to last a lifetime.
And the Perth club’s testimonial man, now manager of Stirling Albion, knows there will be a determination in the current crop to emulate previous success stories.
Saints are neatly placed in fourth in the Scottish Premiership, which will be enough to book a ticket for the Europa League, if Hibernian fail to win the Scottish Cup.
Mackay said: “I’m sure the players will be right up for it and the manager as well. It would look great on his CV, taking the club into Europe again.
“It is a great achievement for the club to be making top six yet again and pressing for Europe. It seems to have become a fairly regular occurrence.
“I remember we lost five games under Steve Lomas but still qualified for Europe. I missed most of them but we had a really poor run after the split.
“We came back from a trip to Marbella and struggled for some reason. But in recent years the club’s record has been very impressive.
“Last year the team won four and drew once so they seem to have got the hang of it now.
“My best memory of European football was in Rosenborg. I had missed out on the trip to play Eskisehirspor in Turkey, which everyone said was fantastic.
“But that win in Norway was brilliant. We had been written off beforehand and they were half way through their season. They also had Champions League experience.
“So to go over there and beat them and finish the job in Perth is one of the highlights of my career.
“Another memory is knocking out Luzern and they were probably the best team we have come up against.
“There will be a few of the lads wondering how many other cracks at Europe they will get. That’s how I felt when we won the Scottish Cup.
“As a player you see Europe as a huge reward for the hard work you have put in all season.”
Former St Johnstone captain Dave Mackay with Scott Findlay (centre) chairman of the Dave Mackay Testimonial Committee, and finance director of Sidey Andrew Litster, which is sponsoring the testimonial golf day at Blairgowire GC
Mackay was full of praise for Saints manager Tommy Wright and believes a number of factors have led to his success at the club.
“A lot of it is down to personality, the way you treat people,” Mackay said. “And the players you bring in is also key, which I am finding out at my level.
“Getting the right blend, getting the right players who fit in has been huge. When guys are battling for each other and the manager it can take you a long way.
“There is quality there as well but that is a big part of why the club has been so successful.
“If you don’t respect your manager or your teammates you have no chance.”
Mackay has quickly got the swing of things in the management world after picking up the Ladbrokes League Two manager of the month award for March at Stirling Albion.
Away from the football pitch, however, he will be hoping the swing is in fine form for his Testimonial Golf Day, which is being held at Blairgowrie Golf Club on May 22.
A limited number of teams at £400 are available by contacting testimonial committee chairman Scott Findlay at the Cherrybank Inn on 01738 624349.
Perth firm Sidey are providing the sponsorship and their finance director Andrew Litster said: “Sidey have had a long association with St Johnstone, spanning almost 20 years.
“We are delighted to play a part in the testimonial year for Dave Mackay.
“Blairgowrie Golf Club offers an exceptional golfing venue and we hope that support for this event reflects both the venue and the major contribution made by Dave Mackay over seven of the most successful years in the club’s long history.”
Testimonial committee chairman Findlay, a former team mate of Mackay and mine host at Perth’s Cherrybank Inn, is delighted to be playing his part.
“I first met Dave at Livingston in 2008 when I was in training with the first team when the club was in administration,” he said. “But they had a signing ban and I ended up going to Dundee.
“Livingston had young players like Robert Snodgrass, Leigh Griffiths, James McPake and Murray Davidson.
“Cuptie was a leader in the changing room even back then. Everyone would look to him and as a St Johnstone supporter all my days I was delighted when he arrived at Saints with Murray.
“I couldn’t believe the deal they got for those two players but Livingston just wanted money in a hurry.
“Murray is still here and if Dave hadn’t been injured he would still be at the club. It has to be one of the club’s best ever deals.
“Like other fans Dave gave Saints and Perth one of its greatest ever weekends when he lifted the Scottish up.
“There is enormous goodwill towards Dave, as we have seen with the support for the golf day and interest in the match and a dinner which will follow later in the year.”
Carbon Financial Partners, Bannerman Decorators, Booker Cash and Carry and Highland Spring are also providing backing to Mackay’s golf day.