150 NOT OUT
Darian is thriving at Accies after long journey to the top
REACHING a landmark gives Darian MacKinnon cause for reflection. A chance to look back at the fine line that may have separated thriving in full-time, top-flight football from being frozen to the bone on a building site.
Hamilton’s industrious midfielder will make his 150th appearance for the club when they travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock this afternoon. Often an aggressive, driving force, his importance to Martin Canning’s team is obvious.
MacKinnon, though, admits wondering whether he would ever reach such a status. He was late to the senior game, joining Accies from Junior outfit Clydebank in the summer of 2012 — aged 26 — after earlier years in the amateur ranks.
Then primarily a striker, the process of adaptation wasn’t swift. But a Scottish Cup tie on a cold December evening, five months into his stay at the club, proved a pivotal moment.
‘It’s strange, because when I first came in I didn’t think I was going to make it,’ confessed MacKinnon.
‘But as you progress and keep going, you think: “I’m actually not too bad, I could make a career out of this”. I feel I’ve done okay, without being big-headed.
‘The doubts were there at the start because I never really played. I went out on loan for a bit.
‘Then there was one game against Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup under Billy Reid. If I didn’t play well that night, I wasn’t getting a new deal. But I did and we won. I got a new deal after that and things kicked on from there.
‘No one had said the situation in as many words but you are not stupid. I remember that it was coming up to Christmas and I hadn’t been involved.
‘Stevie May was on loan here at the time but was cup-tied. I think St Johnstone wouldn’t let him play. Thankfully, I played well up front at the time and the deal came from there.’
MacKinnon feels gratitude to Hamilton for keeping faith. But he has surely repaid any debt.
A key part of their promotion winning side in 2014, the 31-yearold has been no less vital in Accies maintaining their Premiership status since.
‘This is a club that gives everyone a chance,’ said MacKinnon. ‘You can see that with the youth set-up we have at the club.
‘If I was at any other club, I would probably be back playing Juniors after the start I had.
‘I need to give the club credit for sticking by me and I am delighted to have got this number of appearances.
‘If that Scottish Cup game against Dumbarton had gone the other way, I might have been back on the building sites!
‘I’m not so sure what would have happened. At the time, you are not really thinking about it.
‘It’s only now when you look back, you think: “Jeezo”. It just shows you how fine a line it is. One bad game and that could have been me finished.
‘Before making my move to this club, I worked with my pal who had a building company. I was a labourer for him. It was fun, but it was a graft at the same time.
‘Of course, I appreciate the life of a footballer. We are not exactly rich, but it is a better time of starting and finishing — and not so much on your back.
‘It’s hard on the building sites when the cold comes. You are trying to dig holes when your hands are freezing. You definitely appreciate this lifestyle more.’
Despite the need for abstinence, MacKinnon grins when he thinks about the changes in the way he refuels after a game.
‘After a Junior game, you would probably have a couple of pints with the boys up in the clubhouse,’ he recalled. ‘And maybe a pie or something.
‘After a game here, it is chicken and protein shakes. Then home. All the boys wind me up about having beers, but you can’t. The gaffer would be on us like a hawk.
‘You need to be professional all the time. It’s not the most pleasing life at times because you have to be good. But it is honestly worth it in the end.
‘I still feel I can become a better player. I have just turned 31. People say that a player’s peak is 28 to 32, but I feel I have a good two or three seasons left in my legs before they start to go.
‘I will get better because you are training with good players every day. If you don’t improve there is a problem.’