Mackie

Daily Record/Keith Jackson

Mack me No.9: Jamie eyes striking role as Scotland begin 2014 quest

HAVING crunched the numbers, Jamie Mackie hopes to increase his chances of a starting slot by fighting it out with Miller and Rhodes to be named as Scotland’s main man.

JAMIE MACKIE last night threw his hat into the ring in the race to become the man to fire Scotland to Rio.

The QPR man is one of a whole host of exciting, gifted attacking options gathered together this week by manager Craig Levein as the clock ticks down to curtain up on our latest quest to qualify for a place at a World Cup finals.

It all begins on Saturday at Hampden against Serbia. But before then the manager must make some almighty decisions. Firstly, Levein will have to sift through a group of 11 of his most gifted options and pick just three of them to fill the forward roles in his chosen system.

Mackie and eight others – Graham Dorrans. James Forrest, Shaun Maloney, James Morrison, Matt Phillips, Robert Snodgrass, Ross McCormack and Steven Naismith – are all in contention to be deployed as wing men to a lone striker, with Kenny Miller and Jordan Rhodes looking to lead Levein’s frontline.

In other words, that’s nine options for two places. And just two for the No.9.

Having crunched a few numbers of his own, Mackie is hoping to increase his chances of a starting slot by making it a three-way fight with Miller and Rhodes to be named as Scotland’s man in the middle.

He said: “I’m having this constant battle the whole time as I play a lot out wide for QPR and I’ve had discussions with the manager there about my best position being right down the middle.

“I know the competition here – as it is at my club – is very competitive but I feel that’s my best position. I’ve played in a three a lot and I really enjoy it so I haven’t really got a problem with it. I’ll play anywhere to do well.
“But I do feel my strongest position is down the middle. Kenny’s scored a lot of goals at international level but there’s a lot of competition coming through with Jordan Rhodes who did well in the friendly and Ross McCormack also scoring.

“It’s a chance to stake a claim to be playing up there as well. However, I’m not really playing there for my club so it’s a hard one for me.

“I would love the chance to play up front but it’s not about me – it’s about what’s best for the squad.”

Which is exactly the kind of attitude Levein looks for every time he jots down the list of names for national duty. It’s why £15million Steven Fletcher – aka the striker who mustn’t be named – is not increasing the manager’s options still further. And it’s why Mackie is not of a mind to go rocking any boats at this time.

He added: “I’ve had a discussion with Craig Levein about playing down the middle in the past and I’ve had the chance to play there for Scotland. But the last couple of times I’ve played in a three and enjoyed that as well.

“I’m sure this week we’ll have a discussion and see where I fit in and where he feels I’m best for him. Every manager will have a different view and I’m fully prepared to play where I’m asked to.”

There is a sense around Levein’s camp that this is their time. After two and a half years of squad building and preparation, Scotland are top-loaded with genuine talent again and ready to go toe to toe with the best in the world.

Mackie said: “There is a lot of quality.There are some very good individual players and there is a lot of belief now. We did really well in the Australia friendly last month and I feel this could be a time for a lot of the players to shine in this qualifying campaign.”

It could even be argued that this time, such is the depth of quality at Scotland’s disposal, there can be no excuses should Levein fail to make a proper go of it.

Mackie is too smart to get suckered into that one. He said: “As players, we probably don’t think about it like that. The press and other football people will judge us on where we are.

“It is all about opinions and I’m sure the other squads in the past didn’t think like that. They will all have thought they were good players and they were equipped to do well.

“As players, we go out there and do our best. We can look around and see there is a lot of quality and we should start to do well now.”

First up then are the Serbs on Saturday. And with bigger and better tests to come – most notably from Croatia and the fast-emerging Belgians – Scotland must get off to a flier.

Mackie said: “It’s massive for the boys to be in front of a home crowd at Hampden. The atmosphere there is unbelievable.

“I experienced it in the qualifier against Spain. I can honestly say I have never heard anything like it before.

“I can’t wait to play at home and it’s important we make a good start. If we can get everyone behind us we could get a bit of momentum throughout the campaign. We all know it’s important to get off to a good start.”

Six points from six from the opening double header against Serbia and
Macedonia would seem like a plan. Then it’s Wales and the Belgians away.

Already that trip to Brussels is shaping up as the big one. Suddenly Belgium – with the likes of Kompany, Hazard, Lukaku, Dembele, Fellaini, Mirallas and Vermaelen in the ranks – are the hottest ticket in town. But, like many others in Levein’s squad, Mackie is on nodding terms with almost all of them having come up against them in the Premiership. And he fears no one.

He said: “Belgium look strong and they’ve got some quality players. They’ve sort of crept up on people as a national side over the past couple of years and now their whole team it is packed with stars.

“But we’ll take that game when it comes round. We have to get some momentum going before we play them.

“I certainly won’t be fazed by playing against these guys. A lot of the Scotland lads are playing against these players week in week out in the Premier League so that’s not going to be a problem.

‘There is a actually a similarity between the two countries because these days, when I get the squad list through, you look at the players listed and the clubs they’re playing for. We’ve got some really good players here who do well every week in their respective leagues including the Premier League.

“It’s a very exciting time. It’s just a question of taking everyone’s club form into the international arena. There are a lot of reasons to be confident.” Daily Record

I hope he gets some chances to play in the middle for us soon. His determination is what we really need now.

 

Maybe this is why we didnt sign a big forward, Mackie is 2nd choice big man up front?

 

He's a healthy choice if we want other players to make up the midfield/wings.

AJ, BZ and probably even Cisse have yet to prove that they achieve more than him when in hoops.

 

Never really saw him as front man - probably cos of all the tracking back he did even during his opening spell with us.

Great to hear he's offering himself as a much needed option. Love to see him given a run and what it produces. SuperMackie anyone?!!

 

Remember him playing right back for half a game and making a decent fist of it.

 

He played RB and RW, he literally covered 2 positions and did very well. Normally youd go 441 but we went 432 with no RW because Mackie could cover both spots.

 

yes at Forest, and if I remember correctly we were down to 10 men which is why he covered full back

 

Damage got red carded.