Plenty of Lie way for gaffer Chris
Vote of confidence as Barrhead bosses nail down coaches
THE old proverb that says actions speak louder than words certainly appears to be ringing true in the case of Arthurlie boss Chris Mackie.
The Barrhead gaffer who has attracted plenty of admirers with his interim management of the Dunterlie dressing room since taking over in the wake of mentor Stevie Kerrigan tendering his resignation in the leadup to Christmas.
And his work in steering the Barrhead outfit to third top in the Super Premier on the back of three wins in his three games in charge up to now has forced club officials to make his appointment and that of experienced backroom team allies Jimmy Lindsay, John Gemmell and Willie McCulloch a permanent one.
The news comes as a timely boost for 31-year-old Mackie ahead of taking his derby bow as Arthurlie manager against archrivals Pollok on Saturday.
He said: “First and foremost, this is not a one-man show and I’m very fortunate to have good and knowledgeable football people by my side.
“We have wasted no time in making a whole raft of changes in a relatively short time… training routines, playing shape and positional switches to name but a few.
“However, if results are our judgment stick then so far things appear to be working.
“Nobody is getting carried away but this week’s nod of approval from the people at Arthurlie is both the pay-off for our efforts up to now and also the green light for us to push on with our plans for this season and beyond.
“Jimmy and I are confident of taking huge strides forward particularly as the players are demonstrating a terrific attitude to buy into our ideas.
“Junior football needs a powerful Arthurlie and hopefully we can help make them a force in the game again.”
The turnaround in the Barrhead club’s fortunes is all the more surprising given that Mackie has so far added only one newcomer to his squad, ex-Morton, Rob Roy and Largs Thistle ace Michael Fulton.
However, the midfielder’s contribution along with that of fit-again striker Gary Carroll has been significant.
He said: “Gary is at the very top of his game and I feel the word clinical describes him best given that he’s had five scoring opportunities in our last three outings and the ball has ended up in the net every time.”
Mackie, meanwhile, is already training his focus on the derby with Pollok. He said: “The atmosphere is sure to be electric with the people of Barrhead getting behind the team again.
“It has all the makings of a cracking match and I’ll be reminding my players to play the game and not the occasion if we want to come out on top.
“We should be in a relaxed mood as our current points total appears sufficient to stave off any relegation fears so the message I’m preaching to the guys is to set their sights on putting as many points on the board as possible – I think 43 is the magic number – and see where it gets us.”
On another note, I am saddened to announce the passing on Tuesday of legendary Auchinleck Talbot centre-back Sam McCulloch after a long illness.
The big fellow was an outstanding ball winner who was integral to Talbot’s successes in the late 1980s/early 1990s when he won five Scottish Junior Cup winner’s medals as well as a solitary cap for being picked to play for Junior Scotland against the Republic of Ireland.
Details of funeral arrangements will be released when available but the sympathies of everyone in the game go to his wife Sandra and their family at this distressing time.