McGhee came in, got the players fit, installed a bit of confidence in them, done all the things that a competent manager should do (Remember we had Malpas for a year). That goal against St Mirren on the opening day of the season seemed to be the shot of adrenaline that took the club through the Autumn months. Rightly or wrongly the sad death of Uncle Phil, i believe, gave our players the determination throughout the rest of the season to finish the job irrespective of McGhee (The Hearts cup game at tynecastle being a good example). However, Mark must be applauded for the way he dealt with this situation.
I believe that the second season is the perfect gauge to judge Mark McGhee. His non-delivery of transfer targets, his bizarre team selections, two poor cup defeats. Yet on the other side he installed discipline in the players, played decent football on occasions whilst selling on players like McCormack and Porter and maintained our 'usual' league position.
Mark McGhee has never been an outstanding manager. He is a competent one. One that does the basics of management pretty well. McGhee and the players gave us one season of magic that wont be forgotten. Nancy Away, going to celtic park and winning, the hearts cup game, the dismantling of Dundee United that fateful day.
The after taste of Mark McGhee however, isn't a very pleasant one. He wont be missed by me.