Inverness Caledonian Thistle coach says he still has a hunger for goals
BILLY Mckay insists his hunger for goals still burns as fiercely as ever as he embraces the twin responsibilities of coach and striker.
The Caley Thistle record scorer is working closely with new head coach Scott Kellacher on the training ground after Duncan Ferguson’s sacking and the club’s slide into administration.
In short, the 113-goal veteran will be charged with plotting a more productive run of finishes, as well as executing at least some of them himself.
Mckay, who turned 36 late last month, has netted just once this season in a team that has mustered a mere nine in 12 league games.
But the deep positions he was often asked to take up under Ferguson didn’t escape notice and a shift in emphasis is now at play
Such a dual role on and off the park might be a hefty burden for one individual to carry, but Mckay, with typical relish, is up for the challenge.
With a run of victories now crucial to hopes of a Caley Thistle recovery in the face of a 15-point deduction, the veteran, who turned 36 late last month, said: “I don’t think there was any hesitation on my part about taking on the coaching role.
“Anyone who knows me personally, knows I’ve wanted to go into this side of football.
“I’m not that young anymore! Maybe if I was a few years younger, there might have been a hesitation.
“Scott and I share the office now and we sit and discuss things. He’s the manager, so he makes the final decisions, but he asks my opinion and I give it.
“There’s a good relationship there and I know Scott well enough from before to know how he wants to play football.
“I’m still here, still a player - and while I am, I want to help the team as much as I can.
“I’m obviously disappointed by my goal return so far, so that’s something I’ve got to work on, as we do as a team, as a whole.
“We need to score more goals, but because we’re creating chances it is not too much of a worry at the minute.
“We’ve already seen an increase in our entries into the penalty box.
“If we weren’t creating chances, which we are at the minute, that would be a concern.
“If the chances start drying up, that’s when you start getting worried.”
Mckay admits the split of responsibilities is demanding, adding: “The days are a lot longer than before, so there's a bit of difference there, but I am learning a lot every day.
"This is something I want to do, so I'm really excited about it.
"But I am still a player, so I can be the bridge between the manager and the lads.
"All that’s changed is that when they go home, I am still here working.
League leaders Cove have won four games in a row, with four clean sheets.
Mckay feels a Caley Jags victory tomorrow would send a big statement out to the rest of the league.
“It will be a difficult match. They're scoring goals and are on a really good run,” Mckay added.
"This is maybe the first game we go into this season as underdogs. It's a different challenge.
"Traditionally at this club, as underdogs, we have a siege mentality we use to come away with the points.”
