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IAN MACKAY
Date of Birth: 14 July, 1987
Nationality: Scotland/Spain
Contract: ???? - 2010
Transfer:
Previous Clubs: Deportivo B
Buy-out Clause:
Height: 178 cm
Weight:
Position: Goalkeeper
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MACKAY is a young and promising goalkeeper who looks like to become the successor of Dani Mallo at Deportivo. That is, a product from Depor’s youth system. But although Dani Mallo never became the first goalkeeper of the Galicians, Mackay’s fine performance against Benfica and AC Milan in the summer of 2006 and the interest of Scotland manager Alex McLeish in his progress already indicate that he’s talented.
During the season 2005/2006 the young goalkeeper (he still had to become 19 back then) was asked by coach Caparrós to join the first squad. Deportivo had goalkeepers Molina, Dani Mallo and Munúa at that moment, but it was clear most of them would be leaving Deportivo that summer. Mackay had a chance to show his worth at training sessions to Caparrós, who’s well-known for his abilities to scout talents. Mackay’s own team, Deportivo B, barely missed promotion that season.
In the summer of 2006 it was confirmed that Molina and Dani Mallo indeed would leave Deportivo. Only Munúa remained those weeks in the Depor squad, and it was an opportunity for Mackay to step into the spotlights. He played in a friendly against Benfica (1-0 win), and made three saves during the penalty shoot-out (a tournament requirement) after this win. Even better was Mackay’s performance during the Teresa Herrera final in August, when a young Deportivo side won 3-1 against ‘guns’ like Pirlo, Kaká, Inzaghi and Gilardino. Only Kaká, from the penalty-spot, was able to beat Mackay. Especially Mackay’s save from a Pirlo free-kick earned him much praise.
Looking back to his match against AC Milan half a year ago, Mackay said: "That wasn't my first game. I played before against Benfica and some other smaller teams. But facing Milan was an experience that many players might never have the luck to have in their careers, playing against players such as Kaká and Pirlo. But it was just one game and you have to do well in every match. I played well but that's in the past and now I'm concentrating on the present."
Despite his appearance, it was evident that Deportivo needed to add a senior goalkeeper to their squad. That (expensive) signing became Aouate. With Munúa still in the squad, both Deportivo and Mackay decided that it was best for him to gain experience in the lower divisions by actually playing minutes. His new destination became Ceuta which was changed by Universidad de Oviedo (Segunda B) in January 2007.
From Monday to Wednesday every week, La-Coruña-born Mackay trains with the first squad of Deportivo. Mackay commented on this that “the idea is for me to make name in Oviedo to return to Depor’s first squad for next season. If that won’t happen, the target is, at least, to play in the Segunda División. Every Wednesday I train with Depor and after it travel to Oviedo (at 340 kilometers). It’s a tough rhythm, but I want to play football. And every dream has its price, so I’m not bothered”. About his experience at Ceuta, Mackay said: “I achieved a starting place there. But after an injury I wasn’t used anymore. It’s said that it had to do with something outside of the pitch, but I prefer to keep thinking that it was only related to football.” During his debut at Universidad de Oviedo he quickly came eye-to-eye with another penalty-kick taker, and saved the effort. “That wasn’t bad,” Mackay commented. “But it would still have been better if we had won that match.”
Mackay has been born and raised in La Coruña by a Spanish mother and Scottish father. His father, John Cameron Mackay, is from Inverness and works on an oil rig in the North Sea, spending one month offshore and one month in La Coruña with his Spanish family. As well as a thirteen-year-old sister in Spain (also a goalkeeper), Mackay has four half-sisters in Aberdeen from his father's first marriage. "My father talks a lot about Scotland - I have four sisters there and lots of aunts and uncles and other family. I have been to Scotland a few times, visiting Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh. I really enjoyed the experience,” Mackay said on this. "Although I have only ever lived in Spain, I regard myself as Scottish."
During February 2007 news reports appeared that Scotland manager Alex McLeish was after Mackay. McLeish brought up his name at a press conference after which newspaper The Herald called the young goalie. They wrote about this that “his handling abilities were called into question this week when he almost dropped his phone in shock after we (The Herald) told him what McLeish had said.” McLeish words had been: "We've not been over to have a look at him yet but we have to consider options.”
Mackay commented that “my father would like me to play for Scotland, but I would love to as well. It has been my dream since I was little. I remember watching the World Cup in '98, seeing players like Colin Hendry, John Collins and Gary McAllister," recalled Mackay”. But he is aware of the strength in depth that Scotland have in his position. "I like the good young Scottish goalkeepers like Rangers' Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon, but my hero is Italian Gianluigi Buffon.”
But a Scotland cap is not the only thing occupying Mackay's imagination: a move once to his ancestral home, and one club in particular, would also greatly appeal. "I have always liked Scottish football and my favourite team is Celtic," he said. "It would be a dream for me to play for them. I would love it. My father is a Celtic fan and my favourite player was Larsson. Since I was little I've loved them. The atmosphere in the stadium is amazing: all the fans singing You'll Never Walk Alone, I love it."
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