QPRâs Jamie Mackie ready to fill Steven Fletcherâs Scotland void QPR's Jamie Mackie insists he is ready to step up for Scotland in the continued absence of Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher Jamie Mackie (right) has scored twice for Scotland Jamie Mackie has insisted he is ready to step up for Scotland in the continued absence of Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher. The Queens Park Rangers forward was used sparingly by Craig Levein in Scotlandâs opening World Cup qualifiers â the 27-year-old was a late substitute in the goalless draw with Serbia before he was played out wide in a 1-1 stalemate with Macedonia at Hampden Park. Fletcher, who has netted four goals since moving to the Black Cats this summer, is currently enduring an international exile due to an on-going feud with Levein. It leaves Mackie with the opportunity to compete for a central striker role with Kenny Miller, and the former Plymouth Argyle star insists he would relish the opportunity to play down the middle. âWell yes [Fletcherâs absence does open the door] but like Iâve been saying, I havenât really been playing up front for either club or country,â said Mackie. âIâve been playing more of a wide role. So itâs not really directly for me to get that role. But I love playing down the middle if I get the opportunity. âIf I do get the opportunity, Iâll grab it with both hands. Itâs something [lack of goals] we need to address. âBut weâve got a couple of good points on the board and Wales are next so a good opportunity for us to get some points.â With Scotland finding the net just once in their last two games, Levein is coming under increasing pressure to find a solution to his sideâs struggles in front of goal. Mackie believes his most effective position is at centre-forward, but the QPR striker understands the difficulty of the role, adding he is willing to play anywhere for Scotlandâs cause. âIâm not going to say Iâm the answer because there are other good players, itâs not one player who can turn it around â itâs all of us as a team,â added Mackie. âIâm not going to be the one who says Iâm the answer down the middle because itâs an extremely tough role. âKenny Miller has played it for a number of years, and sometimes it can be a thankless task. âOf course Iâm happy to do it. Iâm happy to play anywhere for my country. Iâm happy to play there, and Iâm happy to play out wide, I can still score goals from there. âIâm sure weâll get a win on the board and the nation can get behind us.â
He also said that he love's playing down the middle and “If I do get the opportunity, I’ll grab it with both hands"
“I’m not going to be the one who says I’m the answer down the middle because it’s an extremely tough role. “Kenny Miller has played it for a number of years, and sometimes it can be a thankless task. does he need to sit the missus down for a frank chat
