The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Never say never to taking on long-term job: Mackay
Interim boss would find it hard to turn down offer of succeeding Strachan
Interim Scotland manager Malky Mackay refusedtorulehimselfoutoftakingthejob on a long-term basis after picking eight uncapped players in his squad to face Holland.
Mackay admitted it was not feasible to combine the role with his duties as Scottish Football Association performance director on an ongoing basis, but it appears he would not turn down the opportunity to switch roles.
The former Cardiff boss brought Paul Hanlon, Jason Cummings, Ryan Jack, Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean and Graeme Shinnie into his squad for the Pittodrie friendly on November 9 while experienced midfielders Scott Brown and Darren Fletcher are retained.
Mackay said: “I was asked by the board to come in and be the interim manager, which I’m very proud to do. But I have quite an important job on my hands. I’m in charge of seven teams and I was in eight different countries last month, so I have quite a lot on my plate.
“Right now I’m looking forward to this next couple of weeks and being focused on that. After that, we’ll wait and see where that goes.”
When asked if he was not ruling himselfout,Mackaysaid:“No,listen,every Scottish manager would be proud to manage their national team and right now I am that person.
“I played for my nation and I will manage my nation in two weeks’ time, and to be able to do that is something I will be eternally grateful for and humbled by.
“But right now my focus is just on the next couple of weeks.
“Who wouldn’t want to do that? But timing is a big thing and I’m 10 months into a job I’m incredibly proud to be doing, and in a job that is fundamentally important for Scottish football.
“I’ve been guiding this pathway for our youngsters and driving that, and making sure there’s a close connection with our football clubs.
“So I’ve got a job to do at the moment and in the next two weeks I’ve got this one to do as well.”
SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said on October 13 that the board would announce details of its recruitment panel in the coming days but no details have emerged and Mackay is not involved as it stands.
Mackay, 45, added: “I think at some point I might be asked in to give my thoughtsonmaybethecriteriaattachedto what the manager’s job should be. But that’s a board decision that will be taken.”
FourteenmembersofMackay’s24-man squad play in Scotland, with the likes of James Morrison, Barry Bannan and Chris Martin dropping out.
Mackay described Christie’s form for Aberdeen as “sensational” and revealed he saw Nottingham Forest striker Cummings as a “young Leigh Griffiths”.
Darren Fletcher is also in the squad and Mackay is delighted to have the experience of the Stoke midfielder and Celtic captain Brown, who have both skippered their country in recent months.
“I’ve spoken to both of them at length this week,” the former Cardiff and Wigan manager said.
“My conversations with Darren and Scott have been very productive over the last couple of days and both have come into the squad. At the moment both of them have made themselves available and that’s the key thing for me.”