National team ‘saved me’ from the wilderness, admits McGhee
AS much as Mark McGhee has enjoyed the experience of being Scotland’s assistant boss, he admits his state of mind may have suffered had he not accepted a return to full-time management.
The new Motherwell boss has spent nearly three years operating as Gordon Strachan’s deputy and will continue in the role after the national coach elected to commit himself to the forthcoming World Cup qualification campaign.
However, he concedes he had reached a stage where he was itching for day-to-day involvement. McGhee last operated in the club environment with Bristol Rovers, where he ended an unhappy spell in 2012 and admits Scotland kept him stimulated during a time when his career could have drifted into obscurity.
Although his partner Maria and son Archie will continue to live in Brighton, he believes his family will ultimately benefit from his second stint in charge at Fir Park.
‘The Scotland thing saved me,’ he admits. ‘I’d have been demented by now if that hadn’t come along. It’s been fantastic for me, good for my mental well-being and it has kept me engaged. I needed that and I’ve been ready to get back involved for some time now.
‘Maria was very aware that I was starting to go mental. I was playing charity golf days and that just doesn’t do it for me. She knew I had to work.
‘If I got a job in Sheffield, it would take me longer to get home than it does from here. So, it’s very do-able for me. It’s still a big decision because my little boy Archie is at school and we won’t move him but we’ll make it work.’
Key to McGhee’s success will be his ability to get experienced men like Stephen Pearson, Stephen McManus and Keith Lasley to buy into his philosophy. Then there is Scott McDonald.
The Australian has a reputation for being awkward and outspoken but in McGhee’s favour is the fact that, through Strachan, he already has an established relationship with the 32-year-old.
‘When Scott was talking about moving from Millwall he gave me a call,’ he explains. ‘We spoke about where he wanted to go and whether I could help get him there.
‘I think all managers have found him testing — he is one of those boys you have to understand. At the end of the day he is going to have to work with me.
‘Like all these characters, he is easier to work with when he’s in the team.
‘Communication is the key to so many of these situations and I think we will be all right.’