Under-fire Hibs supremo tells fans: 'Judge me on the person I am.'
New Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay has urged Hibs fans to give him a chance to prove himself. A supporters’ group have already promised to protest against the appointment of Mackay, whose involvement in a text scandal over a decade ago remains a bone of contention for some – despite the former SFA performance director winning the support of anti-racism campaigners after undergoing counselling.
Addressing the polarised reaction to his appointment yesterday, the former Cardiff, Wigan and Ross County boss said: “I completely understand everyone has points of view. What I would say is that to really judge me on the person I am, and you see going forward for Hibernian Football Club.
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Hide Ad“I’ve been in football for 30 years but in Scotland for seven years, four years at the Scottish FA and nearly three at Ross County.I’ve got such a passion for our game and for the club I work for and the national association I was with, that I would like people to judge me for the person they meet, they see, that I am for their football club.
“I’m proud and privileged to work for Hibernian Football Club and that being the case I’m determined to do everything I can to make sure we have success. They’ll see someone that is driven and wanting to do the best for their club.”
Mackay was in attendance at Easter Road last night as Hibs won 3-0 under the guidance of interim head coach David Gray. The new sporting director, who doesn’t officially start until June 1, has been charged with leading the search for a successor to Nick Montgomery, who became the fourth manager sacked in under two-and-a-half years by Hibs earlier this week.
Gray welcomed Mackay’s arrival, saying: “I think it's a very good appointment. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, especially in Scotland and England. I think he'll be a real good addition to the football department.
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Hide Ad“I think knowledge of Scottish football is very important because it's a difficult league, very challenging and demanding. This is such a fantastic football club and the demands to work and play here are really high, and rightly so. The pressure is always there and having that extra understanding of how the league is, understanding the players that are successful in the league and the ones that maybe struggle, the more insight you have of that is a benefit.”