Gudjon trials little-known Scot

Last updated : 26 April 2006 By Richard Brown

After seven years in the Ross County youth side, having signed at just 16, Mackay went on to make over a hundred appearances for the club, prior to his release almost a year ago. And after his initial interest in the player died, manager Gudjon Thordarson now looks set to rekindle that interest in inviting the player back for pre-season training in June.

A regular cap for the Scottish semi-professional side, Mackay can operate both as a left-sided full-back and midfielder.

Mackay (right) in action
Currently plying his trade with little-known Scottish part-timers Forres Mechanics, the Scotsman is said to be chomping at the bit of the prospect of returning to the full-time game following his release from the Scottish First Division side almost a year ago.

After being invited to appear in County's recent reserve team outing at Derby County, it seems the club are now keen to follow up their initial interest in the player, with there being every likelihood that Mackay could become one of the club's first additions to the squad over the summer months.

I spoke to Ross Jack – Ross County's community coach for Moray - a few weeks ago and said to him that I was keen to get back into full-time football. He mentioned that Notts County had shown an interest when I left Ross County last year,” said the player, speaking to local newspaper The Forres Gazette recently.

"Basically he went away and spoke to them and got back to me to say they wanted me to come down so they could have a look at me.

"I went down and trained on the Tuesday then we played Derby County reserves away on the Wednesday. They had a strong team out with a few first team boys, such as Paul Peschisolido, and although we were beaten 1-0 we played well and I felt I had done pretty well.

"The manager pulled me in on Thursday and said he was happy with my performance but he felt I could do with doing a bit more fitness work, which is fair enough as I have been part time for almost a year now .Basically, he left it as being that he wants me to come back down when they start pre-season June 29, to get a proper look at me.”

With just midfielder David Pipe and veteran ‘keeper Kevin Pilkington contracted beyond the end of the season, the stage now seems set for Mackay to earn one of the many available places in next year's squad after the current crop of players have waned helplessly as the season has progressed.


For more details on the story, be sure to check back to NCM over the summer.