Scottish League call-up cost Donald his place
It’s always a happy Christmas for footballers if they’re in the team and playing well.
That’s especially true of goalkeepers. There’s only one spot available and being dropped can lead to a long, frustrating spell on the sidelines.
Many managers want two goalies vying for the jersey. They want both men to thrive on the competition.
But Donald Mackay found the opposite was true in 1968.
He’d been battling with Sandy Davie for the number one jersey at Dundee United for six years.
At the start of the season, manager Jerry Kerr felt he was better off for keepers than any other boss in the country. Then Sandy Davie was transferred to Luton Town in September.
That left Mackay as the one senior man between the sticks – and he responded by producing some of the best form of his career.
Taking five points out of six over the festive season meant United were seen as genuine title contenders and their goalie was being mentioned as a possible pick for Scotland.
Donald recalled: “I know there’s often been a theory that having someone breathing down your neck keeps you on your toes.
“But I probably preferred to be knowing that I was the manager’s number one.
“You’re always going to be playing with a bit of pressure, but you maybe don’t need the added pressure of knowing any mistake will see you dropped. Goalkeepers will always make some sort of mistake.”
Donald knew what it was like to suddenly find himself out of the side – and once because his form has been so good!
He went on: “In 1966, I was picked as reserve keeper for the Scottish League team to play the English League at St James’ Park. Bobby Ferguson of Kilmarnock was selected as the first choice.
“United were playing Hearts the same night, so I said there wasn’t much reason for me to travel if I wasn’t playing.
“But Jerry was adamant that I should go and join up with my country.
“Sandy Davie, a very good goalkeeper, played against Hearts and had an outstanding game.
“I came back from the international trip and found I’d lost my place!
“When Sandy left, I probably had the best season. We finished fifth, which equalled the best previous position.
“Hamish McAlpine was emerging as a young keeper but I was comfortable as the established No. 1. It was a great time to be playing at Dundee United.
“We’d seen the Scandinavians arrive – I’m still in contact with Orjan Persson and Mogens Berg – and they really changed the face of the club.
“They were amateurs when they came from Sweden and Denmark. You wouldn’t be able to afford players of their quality now.”
Despite being watched by Scotland manager Bobby Brown, a full cap didn’t come Donald’s way.
He said: “I started my career with Forfar and Bobby wanted to sign me for St Johnstone in 1962. But they were relegated that summer and I decided to turn him down in favour of United.
“I don’t know if that counted against me when he became Scotland manager.”
Donald, now 78 and living in Carluke, left Dundee United in 1972 and had two seasons with Southend United.
He then started a coaching career that saw him work as manager of Norresundby in Denmark, Dundee, Coventry City, Blackburn, Fulham and Airdrie.
There were six years as a scout with Middlesbrough and a spell with Leicester before he slipped out of the professional game.