Well-Made Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Interview: Mark McGhee java script:Published Date: 31 May 2009 By Tom English IT STARTED like this; reporter meets Mark McGhee in a Glasgow coffee shop on Friday morning, orders two cappuccinos, a jammy Danish and some toast, hands over the plastic and is told "sorry, no cards accepted, thanks very much". McGhee steps in quickly, takes out his wallet, hands over a fifty and says there's a story behind the large denomination. "Do you know about The System?" he asks. "Sit down and I'll tell you." The System was invented in a casino in Las Vegas a few years back, in Amarillo Slim's backyard, the playground of the fearless. McGhee was there on holiday, a rookie punter in a world of sharks doing business at the roulette table. Nothing dramatic, just a few bucks invested for the fun of it. But it made him think. "There must be some way of improving the odds here. Some way to even things up." So The System was born. He's not the type to hang about in casinos but it's a good night out all the same. He's been on four occasions since to Vegas and The System has always delivered. You couldn't explain it here. Too many combinations of things to remember, too much detail to digest. Maybe there's a science to it and maybe it's pot luck but he's turned a handy profit following his method and the fruits of his creation are buying breakfast. "The System," he smiles. "It can't fail! You need patience and discipline. Stick to your tactics and see 'em through." He's laughing now. "I don't know why anybody else hasn't come up with it before me. It's quite simple really. Saying that, if you ever see me sitting outside on the footpath there with a cap and a banjo you'll know that maybe it wasn't as good as I thought." It's a beautifully sunny morning in Glasgow, a short stroll from the leafy corner of the West End where McGhee lives and where his mate Gordon Strachan was a neighbour up until last weekend. The wee man, as McGhee calls him, is in La Manga now, golfing for all he is worth, purging his system of the disappointment of losing out on a fourth SPL title by whacking a golf ball around some choice parkland. Strachan departed on Monday but McGhee knew he was going a long time ago. "It was over the road there in Stravaigin (a restaurant] that he told me he was leaving. It was New Year's Eve. My brother was at a loose end about three weeks ago and Gordon asked if he would drive a van down to Southampton for him. (Strachan retained his house on the south coast). All the clothes and bits and bobs went in the van. There was no way he was changing his mind no matter what happened last Sunday. Win, lose or draw, the wee man was away." And so one of the most complex reigns in Celtic's history came to an end. Strachan won trophies but little warmth from the home support. For three seasons he got the better of their hated rivals from across the city but it was never quite good enough for the Parkhead crowd. They wanted better football, they wanted a more amenable manager, not a smart Alec, which Strachan undoubtedly was at times. "Look, the most endearing thing Gordon ever said about the Celtic fans was this week, after he left, when he talked about how fantastic they were. If he'd been saying that when he was in the job, life would have been a lot easier. He got this bug in his head I think, you know? "He took them on. But he's always been contrary. Some of the interviews I used to see when he was in England, I had to turn the television off because I was cringing at some of the stuff he'd come out with. One time when he was manager of Coventry he came in after the game and the goalkeeper was the boy Magnus Hedman who'd just had a great game and the interviewer says, 'Hedman's become a really good keeper' and Gordon turns and looks straight into the camera and says, 'Not as good as his agent thinks he is'. It was brilliant. Very funny. Typical of the wee man. To be fair, I think that's one of the things Dermot (Desmond] liked about him. "See if you went to Dermot now and said to him, 'I guarantee you three SPLs in the next four years and two years of last 16 football in the Champions League', I'd say you'd be the next Celtic manager in a flash." McGhee has been linked with the job but, so far, it's mere paper talk. No substance to it whatsoever, he says. Strachan will be a tough act to follow, but somebody is going to get the gig, sooner or later. Owen Coyle and Tony Mowbray remain at the top of the betting despite Burnley and West Brom doing their damndest to kill the speculation. McGhee hasn't gone looking for gossip but in his world it comes to him all the time. He's heard that Roberto Martinez, the promising Swansea manager, is well thought of at Parkhead. He's also heard that Craig Levein has a supporter or two. Most amazingly, somebody told him of a whisper last week that Steve McClaren was in with a shout. He lets all this stuff wash off him. His mobile phone rings and he sighs theatrically. 'That'll be Dermot again," he jokes. Of course, it isn't. But that's not to say that McGhee isn't without a chance of getting the job. Indeed Strachan has already recommended him publicly. There's also constant speculation – but again no phone call – from Aberdeen. Plenty of rumours there as well, naturally. He's heard the names of John Collins and Mark Venus among others. This kind of chat comes to him on an almost hourly basis. There's no escaping it. Celtic and Aberdeen. Aberdeen and Celtic. The mobile beeps once more. "That'll be Dermot again. He's probably looking for The System. Go away, Dermot, you've enough money!" All McGhee can deal with right now is reality and the reality is that Motherwell are back in pre-season training in little over three weeks time and will play their first match in the Europa League on July 2. That's enough to be focusing on right now. "Look, I know I'm being linked with these jobs but my phone hasn't rung and from the bits I hear from my sources, the newspapers aren't on the right track as regards either job. If I get a call then I'll deal with it. But for now, I've got things to do with Motherwell." The season was a strange one; disrupted by injury and plagued by bad results in the first half and infinitely better in the second half. From new year, Motherwell won more points than any other SPL side outside the title-chasing Old Firm and Hearts, and Hearts only just trumped them. So, yeah, they finished seventh, but they were a whisker away from better things despite having sold Chris Porter mid-season. The transformation from January gives him optimism even if the summer may see the departure of midfielder Stephen Hughes, goalkeeper Graeme Smith and defender Maros Krimpl, all three of them hugely important to his team. His decision to turn down the Hearts job last year is something that always comes up, particularly since Csaba Laszlo made such a success of it. He still has no regrets, he says. "Somebody said to me the other night, 'The mistake you made was not taking the Hearts job'. I said that's not right. If I'd taken the Hearts job I could have put a patch over one eye and tied one leg up behind my back and got third spot. I knew that. It wasn't an issue. I still maintain that when I get my best team on the pitch we're the third best side in the SPL. Statistics tell you that. Now, we might lose a few and that's a challenge to replace them. But if you ask me where do I think I will be come the start of the season I think I'll be here, preparing for Europe. I've heard nothing to the contrary." Where will his mate be? Hard to say what Strachan is going to do now. Maybe he'll take a year off, maybe not. We never successfully managed to second-guess the guy while he was here so there's not much chance of doing it now he's gone. The link with Desmond remains strong, says McGhee. "Dermot and Gordon are very tight. Dermot said to Gordon, 'You've got a job for life'. He'd never have sacked him. He phoned him last week, and said 'When you come back from La Manga we'll meet in London, have lunch and we'll sort out your future and we'll make sure you get a big club'. He deserves that. He shouldn't have to take a fire-fighting job down there now." McGhee, meanwhile, is happy with the one he has. The speculation carries on around him but he says he'd go mad if he paid attention to it. The mobile goes again. It's not Dermot Desmond and it's not Willie Miller. It's somebody connected with Motherwell. He goes out the door and into the real world. The fantasy he'll leave to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
east stand loyal Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Thats an interesting read, none of this sensationalist shite! Might just start buying the Scotsman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star sail Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Enjoyed reading that. McGhee comes across as having a good sense of humour. He sounds like a nice guy. I remember seeing him at Glasgow Airport the Friday before the last Aberdeen game at FP and was going to go over and wish him luck but did not know how he would react. Based on that he seems very approachable. He is still talking positively about Motherwell so here's hoping he will still be with us going into Europe. Did not get the Hearts reference? What did he mean by that? Did he mean he would have been heavily constrained by Romanov? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well_Jaggy Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Star Sail, I think what he meant was that there would have been no challenge in him getting hearts to third spot this year. I think he means that anyone, even Nony could have gotten hearts to third spot this year.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brazilian Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Did not get the Hearts reference? What did he mean by that? Did he mean he would have been heavily constrained by Romanov? I took it to mean he thought Hearts were guaranteed third spot this season, if he had went to them ( even if he was handicapped). Wonder if he's a member of the site that post in the Gambling section with his system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
east stand loyal Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 "Somebody said to me the other night, 'The mistake you made was not taking the Hearts job'. I said that's not right. If I'd taken the Hearts job I could have put a patch over one eye and tied one leg up behind my back and got third spot. I knew that. It wasn't an issue. I still maintain that when I get my best team on the pitch we're the third best side in the SPL. Statistics tell you that. Now, we might lose a few and that's a challenge to replace them. But if you ask me where do I think I will be come the start of the season I think I'll be here, preparing for Europe. I've heard nothing to the contrary." I think thats what he means as well but the highlighted comment above is a bit of a contradiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperCC Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Gives the feel that he may still be around come the start of the season and if thats the case I hope he gets the support of all fans. You dont need to like him to appreciate the role he does as Manager.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat_tony Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Good article that, despite the fact I can't stand Tom English and the Scotsman in general. Why though, can no journalists be bothered learning that it's Klimpl, not Krimpl? Positive sounding stuff from McGhee though and hopefully he is keeping his mind on things here as suggested. Interesting to read his comments that the media are way off with both Celtic and Aberdeen jobs, makes it seem like he will be here next year after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy Target Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 good article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finlay Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Good article but sums up McGhee's current (and would now appear to be standard pre season) status in the rumour mill that it took approx 18 paragraphs into a 26 paragraph story for the word 'Motherwell' to appear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Made Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 That's a bit harsh considering the journalist has padded out the story. If the journo hadn't mentioned the system, the phone calls and the Strachan bit it wouldn't really have been much of a piece. Instead the journo is showing that McGhee not only bought breakfast but that he is an intelligent guy. He also shows that he has a sense of humour and that he is still commited to working for Motherwell and that he isn't letting the stories in the media put him off doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Good article but sums up McGhee's current (and would now appear to be standard pre season) status in the rumour mill that it took approx 18 paragraphs into a 26 paragraph story for the word 'Motherwell' to appear. Good wee article and enjoyed reading it. I have to agree with Well-made though. The article wasn't entirely about Motherwell, but about the man behind the team and giving us a bit more insight on McGhee. There will be many fans, myself included, that don't know much about him and articles like this make interesting reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellfan1984 Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 As said above this article is not really about Motherwell in anyway shape or form. The only loose connection Motherwell has with this article is the fact McGhee is currently our manager. As has also been said above, good article, and lets you know a little bit more about McGhee. A few more would not go amiss either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
numpty Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Meanwhile, in today's Herald... "Mark McGhee has looked and sounded like a manager who regrets staying at Motherwell for a second season. His decision to reject the Hearts job was made with the noblest intentions but, after watching Csaba Laszlo accept the acclaim as manager of the year, he is acutely aware Motherwell's ambitions do not match his own. He would be an ideal fit at Aberdeen but he will encounter the same problems, albeit on a lesser scale, at Pittodrie. Stewart Milne, the owner, has been notoriously thrifty with his bawbees even before the credit crisis impacted on his property empire. Scottish football has lost its appeal to managers as much as players. Outwith the Old Firm, it's same meat, different gravy." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Made Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 One thing I notice about that report is that's it all about the journos opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellfan1984 Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 One thing I notice about that report is that's it all about the journos opinion. I clicked the link, seen who it was by and then shut it down again. I think only the Sports Editors of P&J in Aberdeen are worse tbh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelmen Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 WHILE the discerning and far-travelled punter endured a forlorn search for a watering hole in Rome after UEFA's Champions League final curfew kicked-in last Tuesday night, Michel Platini's cronies quaffed merrily into the wee sma' hours with their £30,000-per-table hospitality packages. No exceptions were made to the rule, not even to two distinguished guests of Sir Alex Ferguson. Walter Smith and James Mortimer, in whose honour Royal Exchange Square ought to be renamed, thought they had cracked it when they stumbled upon a cafe that had been selling gallons of nectar and putting it through the till as ice cream. Alas, no sooner had they parked their parched tongues by the bar in anticipation of an ice-cold Peroni than six of La Polizia's finest dubbed-up the shebeen . . . What is this all about????????? Scottish football is boring, scottish football is boring, and parched tongues to finsh!!!! and his boss said yes lets print this..... someone should be head of the queue when payoffs come at this rag. Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finlay Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 That's a bit harsh considering the journalist has padded out the story. If the journo hadn't mentioned the system, the phone calls and the Strachan bit it wouldn't really have been much of a piece. Instead the journo is showing that McGhee not only bought breakfast but that he is an intelligent guy. He also shows that he has a sense of humour and that he is still commited to working for Motherwell and that he isn't letting the stories in the media put him off doing it. I know what the journo was doing thanks. I think you read what I typed then completeley misinterpreted it.....as well as others that followed you. My point is that such is a McGhee preseason now that more emphasis is placed on what jobs he is rumoured to be in line for rather than focusing on the one he has. No critisicisms, just an observation. However to play Devils advocate for a moment, to make mention of his CURRENT employers so late in a SPORTS article about a football manager whether a personal bio or not....well that certainly wouldn't happen to Strachan, Smith and dare I say Calderwood, Mixu etc. Just another observation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kmcalpin Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 One thing I notice about that report is that's it all about the journos opinion. Very true Jim and quite frankly Mr Broadfoot and his journalistic colleagues must accept a large part of the blame rather than meekly decrying Scots football. They are a significant cause of the rot. We pick up so called Scots newspapers, watch Scots TV or listen to pseudo Scots radio and what do we get? News about the English Premiership. This only serves to disenchant our own fans north of the border. Give our own game a break for goodness sake! A very pertinent quote from Jim Duffy "Part of the problem is an unrealistic level of expectation. We see football from all parts of Europe on television daily and fans are expecting their team to win - and do it in style. They want the technical ability and flair they see from Spain's La Liga and the top end of the English Premiership. Thats just not possible. There isn't the money for Scottish clubs to attract top drawer players. It seems fashion is over-riding common sense." Maybe just maybe if Mr Broadfoot and his ilk promoted Scots football more, more fans would go along and support their local side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 I clicked the link, seen who it was by and then shut it down again. I think only the Sports Editors of P&J in Aberdeen are worse tbh Good old Darryl "what is todays Thesaurus word of the day" Broadfoot. Guy tries to make himself sound more intelligent than he really is at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haggischomper Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Note to Darryl: Today's thesaurus word is 'Fud'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star sail Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 One thing I notice about that report is that's it all about the journos opinion. Unfortunately journalism tends to be more about opinion than fact. There is a priority with Football Writers to 1) Sell newspapers 2) Make a name for themselves 3) court the people who will provide them with future scoops. None of the above have the interests of Scottish Football at heart. Sensationalism, wild speculation and Old Firm bias all add up to meeting these objectives. What annoys me is that these same journalists bemoan a system that they have been heavily influencial in creating. I have not read one single article that promotes a case for Mark McGhee staying at Motherwell and yet for the interests of Scottish Football and in the interests of a competitive league this would be a good outcome. I know that Rangers and Celtic have historically had a bigger support however the gulf between the Old Firm and the rest could have been addressed somewhat over the years if the coverage of Scottish Football had been more even handed. Daryl Broadfoot is a perfect example for me of everything that is wrong with sports journalism in Scotland. How refreshing was it to see Graham Speirs stick up for Paul Le Guen during his time at Rangers. Yet looked what happened to him. His future in Scottish journalism ended there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelboy Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Daryl Broadfoot is a perfect example for me of everything that is wrong with sports journalism in Scotland. How refreshing was it to see Graham Speirs stick up for Paul Le Guen during his time at Rangers. Yet looked what happened to him. His future in Scottish journalism ended there. apparently speirs got a wage rise when he moved to the times. him and phil gordon do some good scottish football pieces for the times although speirs harps on about the same subjects a bit too much in his column. the sports coverage in the times is far, far superior to anything offered by the scotsman or the herald. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.