Behind him and trains again
football, like I had done last year, then there is no reason why I can’t keep playing beyond the end of this season. I played 35 games last year and I am just looking to play as many games as possible.
“It has been a lot easier watching the boys actually doing well, but that doesn’t mean it has been easy at all.”
Taking a step back has allowed MacKenzie to take in everything the club has achieved over the course of the past year.
This time last year St Mirren had just one league win on the board, seven points as they languished at the bottom of the table.
If results go their way this weekend, the Buddies will be heading into the Christmas countdown back at the top of the Championship.
Upon signing for Saints last summer, the experienced defender was adamant that he had come to Paisley to challenge at the right end of the table. It is well documented that things didn’t transpire as he would have hoped.
But with a renewed sense of optimism, he insists this could be the club’s year.
“It is amazing to see just how far this club has come in the past 12 months,” he said.
“If you flick back a year then we are a mile ahead of where we were. It is not to say we are not disappointed from losing to Dumbarton at the weekend, but as long as we learn from that and keep doing what we are doing since the gaffer has come in then we will be fine.
“We were just looking to kick on at the end of last season. We didn’t fear anyone, and we have carried that into this season.
“The gaffer managed to keep everyone that he wanted to keep and that has played a big role in us being successful.
“He has added a few that have brought a wee bit to us again and solidified the squad.
“We might have let ourselves down on Saturday but the bigger picture is that we are there or thereabouts.
“If I am speaking to you in six months time I hope we have won the league – it’s as simple as that.”