EXCLUSIVE
ARABS IN SFA PLEA FOR MAC
Dundee United have asked the SFA for permission to speak to Malky Mackay to become their new manager.
The Tannadice club have made the former Watford, Cardiff and Wigan boss their leading candidate to replace Robbie Neilson.
MailSport understands SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell wi l l grant the request, with Mackay keen to hold talks.
The 48-year-old has been performance director at
The Tigers are a club in crisis as they battle to avoid dropping out of the English Championship.
Stephen Kingsley went to Hull and back before his three-year spell at the KCOM Stadium ended last week.
But the Scotland cap is looking to a brighter future after overcoming his injury nightmare on Humberside.
And the 25-year-old admits that could even mean a return north of the border six years after leaving Falkirk for Swansea City.
Kingsley was one of four players told they have no future at Hull after the club opted not to trigger their one-year option. The defender is gutted he didn’t get the chance to show the kind of form that saw him join the Tigers in a part exchange that saw Sam Clucas move to the Liberty Stadium in a £15million deal.
A persistent hip injury meant he got just 10 outings in his first season and eight in the current campaign that sandwiched his most productive season when Hull were knocking on the door of the play-offs. Kingsley has left a team on a horror run of 14 games without a win after yesterday’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Birmingham City left them languishing in the relegation zone. Fans have held protests against owner Assem Allam and the club have banned local media from attending games. Kingsley could be forgiven for being glad to be out of the picture. But he’s just gutted that he couldn’t do more to help due to his time on the treatment table.
After becoming a dad for the first time with the recent birth of daughter Alba, he is looking forward to a new chapter on and off the park.
He’s one of the many players looking for employment amid the Covid-19 crisis – but insists his experience at Hull will stand him in good stead.
Four years on from his international debut in a friendly against France, Kingsley has aspirations of making Steve Clarke’s squad and returning to the Premier League, where he made a dream bow in a 2-1 win at Arsenal for Swansea.
He told MailSport: “Since I joined Hull it has been bad luck right from the start. “I had ongoing hip issues that kept me out for a while and a few niggles last season halted my progress. “I had to learn to deal with injuries and get strong in the gym but thankfully it’s under control now. “Hopefully I can keep on top of that in the future. I
had never really heard of that type of injury before but it was severe to begin with.
“The more I read about it, I realised it’s more common than you think. Kieran Tierney and Andy Murray both suffered from hip problems.
“I’ve got the tools to manage it now but I’m disappointed I couldn’t give my best for Hull, a club that gave me so much.
“I need to move on now. Alba is only eight weeks old so family is my priority and all options will be considered.
“I won’t rule anything out and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s there. Life has changed for myself and my wife Maxine – it’s just so extreme right now.
“We were expecting our first child and it was an exciting and amazing time – but crazy too during lockdown.
“The break has given me the motivation to push even harder and get back to the level I was at when I moved to Swansea.
“Every player wants to be in the Premier League and I’m proud to have played games in the best league in the world.
“I’m aiming towards there but I need game time to show what I believe I can give.
“I feel great and fit now. I’ve learned a lot in my time at Hull both on and off the park.
“There was an option for Hull but in the current climate they decided not to extend my contract. It’s sad after being at a club for three years and meeting people to push be ending. on for to so the the many Now period next amazing I’m chapter. in ready my life to
be “I yet don’t because know everything where that is will up in the air. The market has shifted with the virus so it’s difficult for clubs and players.
“I’ll take it week by week and keep myself strong.
“I just want to get that run of games I’ve been craving for a while and play with a smile on my face again.
“It’s been a rollercoaster since my Scotland debut but it’s important that I’m better for it and know now how to deal with difficulties both mentally and also physically.”