Malky Mackay believes Cardiff's Wembley date with Liverpool is just reward for the work put in behind the scenes by his players and backroom staff in south Wales over the last nine months. Mackay, who succeeded former Bluebirds manager Dave Jones last summer, has managed to recreate the successes of the previous regime at the Cardiff City Stadium despite being forced to dismantle and rebuild his Cardiff side. After losing 12 players over the course of the off-season, the former Watford boss has brought as many new squad members. But somehow the Scot has contrived to pick up where Jones left off, taking the Welsh outfit to a major cup final and masterminding yet another promotion push in the npower Championship. While elevation to the Barclays Premier League may still remain the elusive Holy Grail for Cardiff and Mackay, the trip to English football's spiritual home on February 26 gives an early insight into the glitz and glamour of the top flight. The Bluebirds may be no strangers to showpiece events in north London, having twice visited Wembley in the FA Cup and once for the Championship play-off final in recent seasons. But this occasion means a little more to Mackay, considering all the effort put into remoulding the squad since his arrival last June. 'It's been hard work for a lot of people, getting key people into good positions and being allowed to do that,' he said. 'Everyone's parked their ego at the door and when you get that from a group of players, with a character and a determination, things go in the right direction. 'Sometimes things don't go for you but, in general, if everyone works to a high standard and everyone supports the football club you certainly can do better things than if that's not the case. 'You look all the way through the competition and anyone that's paid a penny for a ticket for the Carling Cup this year - from Oxford where we had 10 players missing through international duty and we had three of our under 18s on the bench, right through to extra-time winners to penalty kicks to Premier League kicks coming - shows the character and spirit that this team has got.' Although Cardiff will be firm underdogs going into the clash, Mackay is determined his team will not simply roll over in Liverpool's presence. Far from it, the Bluebirds boss has stressed that the winning mentality instilled in each of his players dictates that the final is simply another chance to prove how good they can be. And the match takes a more personal turn for Mackay, as he gets the chance to test his managerial pedigree against one of his footballing idols - Reds chief Kenny Dalglish. Nevertheless, Mackay is ready to put all that aside and ensure Cardiff's supporters go home happy. 'We've played every game this season, and everyone whose watched us has seen us play every game this season, with a competitive group of players that don't know when to lie down and die and want to push themselves beyond sometimes what they think is possible,' he said. 'Of course we're going to the final to go and be competitive and make sure we do the best we can do for Cardiff City. 'It's terrific for everyone at the football club and everyone should embrace it - be it a fan, a director, a staff member or footballer. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...f-making-Carling-Cup-final.html#ixzz1mg6l23re
