Mackenzie eyeing national call-up as he learns from the best
Jack Mackenzie admits he has ambitions of getting a Scotland cap in the near future as he looks to emulate Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson. Current Pittodrie interim manager Peter Leven was quoted recently saying he believes the Aberdeen young player of the year has similar attributes to Tierney. Hailing Leven for playing a big part in his development, the Dons left-back revealed he has watched clips sent by Leven specifically tailored to how Robertson, Tierney and Manchester City star Josko Gvardiol play.
“It is progress,” Mackenzie said. “I’m trying to kick on more, From where I was last season I have massively jumped forward and it’s about trying to do that again next season.
“I have never played internationally at any level but there is a burning ambition there, That would be amazing, I am not at that level but I am working towards it.
“We have been looking at a few players, I like keeping on top of the defensive side of the game. I’ve watched Gvardiol, I like the way he defends along with Robertson and Tierney also with the way he drives forward.
“Ever since Pete came in last summer he has worked hard with me on the training pitch with clips, I feel I have kicked on this season and that’s been down to Pete, he’s helped me improve massively.
“It is about me trying to take that into my game, I also have to make sure my delivery is on the money and even defensively watching how tight they are to players and how aggressive they are.
“These guys are the best in the business and it would be stupid not to watch what these guys do,” added Mackenzie. New Dons boss Jimmy Thelin is due to touch down in the Granite City from Sweden next month and the anticipation behind the appointment is tangible around Aberdeen. Mackenzie made his debut for the Reds in a 1-0 defeat to Dundee United in March 2021. Since then, there have been eight gaffers in the Pittodrie dug-out in three years and the 24-year-old is hoping for stability when Thelin exits IFK Goteborg imminently.
He said: “Paul Sheerin gave me my debut at Tannadice. There has been Paul, Stephen Glass, Barry Robson, Jim Goodwin, Barry again, Neil Warnock, Peter Leven and Scott Anderson last weekend. “There’s been a few changes in three years, it is not ideal and you need a bit of stability. Hopefully, when the new manager comes in he will be in for a few years
“There seems to be positivity about the appointment, he has done well at Elfsborg and only missed out on the league on goal difference, which is an achievement for them, we’ll see what we learn from him.” Aberdeen travel to Easter Road this afternoon to face Hibs looking to address four years since a victory in the capital and Mackenzie wants to put an unwanted stat to bed.
He added: “I would be lying to you if I said that if we went to a stadium where we have a terrible record and I thought we would be fine.
“You think about it, we are similar size clubs with similar budgets, it’s up to us to improve our away form and get a result.
“It’s something we’re looking to change before next season, our record in Edinburgh is a head scratcher.”