"I’m really proud to be here as manager of this club" Malky

Malky Mackay was ‘delighted’ by his side’s five-star performance against Dundee FC on Wednesday. Speaking to the press post-match, he said:

“I genuinely think in the last 4 matches, any 1 of the last 4, we could’ve gone on, maybe not to win 5-0, but to turn those performances into goals.

“I was delighted because Dundee have had a couple of decent results recently and James McPake has done great coming up to this division and settling his team into it. We knew we had to start well like we did against Livingston last weekend if we wanted something from the game.”

Despite a dazzling attacking performance, the gaffer was also full of praise for his defensive players:

“Special credit to my goalkeeper because he makes a hell of a save at 0-0 and that can change things with confidence and momentum, but I think after that we got it down, got it to our wingers and caused havoc in the first half.

“I’m delighted with the whole team’s performance but especially my back 4, my goalie and my holding midfielder for the clean sheet, they deserved that.”

Malky recognised the quality of the opposition on Wednesday night and was pleased that his players were able to adapt and stand up to the challenge. He continued:

“We knew at half time we had to change things, they brought on Cillian Sheridan, they had Griffiths on, they had Cummings on, guys that have hundreds of goals between the 3 of them. We stood firm to that; they went a little bit more direct with Cillian.

“We had to win that second ball and I knew if we won that we could get it to the wide areas and get our 2 wingers on the ball who were on fire again tonight. I’m really delighted with the performance but as I said I genuinely think the last 4 or 5 weeks we’ve been equal to any team in the division, and it was only a matter of time.”

The manager finished by expressing his gratitude towards those at the club who have put faith in him. He said:

“I’m really proud to be here as manager of this club, it’s a fabulous little club. It’s a small club with a small number of staff that put many hours a day in to keep it going. We have a fabulous chairman in Roy MacGregor and Chief Executive Steven Ferguson. He has been a footballer, academy director, manager and now Chief Executive so I’m working for a couple of people who see the plan and the journey, and they wanted me to join it.

“They’ve had confidence in me to allow me to put in place the various strategies that I wanted to help the performances around the club in all areas. Whether that be the first team, or whether it be in sports science, medicine or talent ID; these things take time.

“16 players left the club in the summer as well as 2 staff. Now all of a sudden, we’ve got to rebuild but the 2 people I’ve been dealing with above me have helped me. They’re there every day, they see every training session and they see the work that’s being put in by the staff and the players.

“To see the players go toe-to-toe with the opposition and come out with a performance like that (against Dundee), that’s for everyone at the club, so I’m delighted for them.”

The Staggies host Hibernian tomorrow afternoon and Malky will be hoping his side can replicate their stellar performance from Wednesday night against a tougher opposition.