MALKY & STEVIE ARE CUT FROM SAME CLOTH
Brophy says old-school bosses are best for him
It’s easy to forget that Eamonn Brophy started as the main striker in Steve Clarke’s first game as Scotland boss.
In summer 2019, Brophy had bagged 12 goals for Kilmarnock under the former Rugby Park gaf fer who then became national team boss.
How times have changed. Clarke toiled to a 2-1 victory over Cyprus on his dugout debut but has since qualified for a Euro finals and on Tuesday secured a sensational 2- 0 win over Spain at Hampden.
And Brophy, through hellish injuries at St Mirren, is now on loan at Ross County trying to keep them in the Premiership.
Th a n k f u l l y for t he 27-year-old, he reckons he has found a manager in Dingwall with similar traits to Clarke.
And Brophy believes Staggies boss Malky Mackay can also get the best out of him between now and the end of the season.
He likes a more traditional style of management.
And after scoring three goals in six games since moving to the Highlands in January, Brophy is convinced he can shine under Mackay and help keep County up.
As he prepared for today’s clash with leaders Celtic, the f rontman said: “Both of them (Clarke and Mackay) are very similar because they’re old school.
“They definitely have similar qualities, more than any of the other managers I’ve had in my career.
“I enjoyed working with Steve at Kilmarnock and it’s the same with the gaffer here now.
“Before I came here I hadn’t played football for a long time.
“I had other options but when I spoke to the manager I wanted to get this move done.
“After just one day he put me straight into the team – when my last full game had been nine months previously.
“I actually worked with Malky a bit in the Scotland set- up years ago. He used to oversee everything at the SFA and when I was at an Under-21 camp he was there.
“He didn’t get involved in the coaching but I got a feel for what he’d be like as a manager.
“I like working with guys like him and Steve. They let you be.
“I’ve worked with coaches who are on it day to day.
“But with those two they work more from a distance. They assess and examine the training .
“It’s an old- school style. They’re in the background but you know they’re the gaffer. They have a presence about them. And tactically they’re very good.
“The manager here has been very good for me so far.
Now I want to repay him and the club by keeping them in the league.” County currently sit in the relegation play- off zone, two points clear of bottom dogs Dundee United.
Mackay won’t be relying on three points against Celtic to aid their survival bid.
But in Brophy he has a player who has scored FIVE times against Celtic already in his career. And the striker reckons he and partner Jordan White can cause Ange Postecoglou’s men problems.
Brophy said: “I’ve a really good record against Celtic, I’ve scored five so far. “Jordan is a good foil for me. The big striker, wee str iker thing has worked well so far. He does al l the things I’m not good at. And maybe I do the things he doesn’t, like running the channels and getting on the end of flick- ons.
“It clicked right away for us and we’ve been a threat in every game we’ve played together.
“We have to be as confident as we can going into the game but know it will be tough.
“Celtic are the best team in the country but we’re at home so have to make it difficult for them, while posing a threat at the other end.”
Brophy might have a bit to go before he’s back to getting Scotland call-ups from Clarke.
But after a difficult time in Paisley, he’s enjoying his football in Dingwall and getting back to his best form.
His future at St Mirren remains unclear but his only priority right now is ensuring
Country are in the Premiership next term.
He said: “I’ve come up, got a few goals and a couple of assists as well. So I’m feeling good, fit and I’m enjoying football again.
“That wasn’t the case at St Mirren because I wasn’t playing.
“Now I just want as many games and goals as possible.
“Our squad is strong here but we have to stay in this league.
“I’ve a year left at St Mirren but it just hasn’t worked for me there. The move hasn’t worked for either of us.
“Now I just want to keep County in the league.
“If I can help them do that I’ll sit down in the summer and see what St Mirren’s plans are.
“I need to wait and see how I feel come the summer but my main aim is to keep County in the top flight.”