Jackie McNamara is determined to defy the odds in management as successfully as he did as a player.
Bearing the same name as his father, a Hibs hero and one time Celt, Jackie’s slight build and lack of height never did him any favours as he came through the schoolboy ranks.
As Celtic entered a glitzy new era at the new look Celtic Park signing a skinny full-back from Dunfermline wasn’t greeted with the hysteria that marked the arrivals of Andreas Thom or Paolo di Canio- for a welcome party McNamara had his boots stolen from the car before making his Celtic debut at Brockville.
At the end of last season he was ‘awarded’ the manager’s job at Partick Thistle and has quickly emphasised that he’ll do the job his way rather than attempt to be a scaled down version of Tommy Burns or Martin O’Neill.
Despite a contact book that could call in favours from Neil Lennon, Malky Mackay or Paul Lambert the Thistle boss doesn’t want to see Firhill becoming a dumping ground for loan players with homegrown youngsters preferred instead.
Last Saturday’s friendly with Fleetwood highlighted the difficulties of the job, difficulties that every manager in Scotland faces. The Conference side from the shadow of Blackpool had 23 signed players to choose from and had enjoyed an intensive week’s preparation at Stirling Univercity.
With decling budgets, linited contracts and a dozen obstacles to overcome managing in the First Division is a world away from the online challenges of Football Manager games but with the new season fast approaching and a friendly with Celtic tomorrow McNamara is looking on the bright side of life.
“I’m an optimist,” he smiled at my pessimistic summary of his job. “I’ve got enthusiasm for the job and enjoy being on the training ground and trying to get my instructions carried out.
“I try to do things the way that I’d want it as a player. I try to treat the players the way that I would want to be treated, like an adult and as long as I explain things and show them on the training ground then they know what is expected.
“It’s good being involved, myself and Simon (Donnelly) are loving being involved on the training ground then into games. It’s secondary to playing but it’s good.”
McNamara harbours his same hopes for management that he did as a player. Other than Hamilton’s James McCarthy not many players have stepped up from the First Division to the highest level in recent seasons but with McNamara as their boss the current Thistle squad have a better chance than most.
“I hope every one of our players has aspirations for the game to go beyond Thistle and get to the top,” McNamara added. “As a kid that’s what I wanted, I was very driven to succeed, I didn’t want to spend my whole career at Dunfermline, I wanted to better myself.
“I wasn’t blessed with a lot of things but I had desire and a willingness to learn and listen to coaches and I didn’t do too badly out of that.”
In midweek McNamara managed to convince Hearts to return Conrad Balatoni to Firhill on loan. The defender spent last season on loan at Firhill with McNamara very wary of how he works the loan market.
He explained: “I’ve got the basis of my squad and think that it’s dangerous to get too many loan players in, I’d go for two or three maximum. If you have more than that I’d feel that I’m doing someone eles’s job bringing their players on- I’d rather bring one of our kids through if I think that they have a chance.
“You have to bring in the right players, I’ve got a great belief in the young players here. I want our u-19s to be in full time, last year I felt that they weren’t coached enough. ideally they should be in every day working with the first team players, working with more experienced professionals is the best way for them to develop.”
A strong looking Celtic XI will be at Firhill tomorrow to take on Jackie’s Jags, kick off is at 3pm with admission at the gate of £10 for adults and £5 consessions.
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One of favourite players growing up. Good luck Jackie.
As much as I liked jackie in our team, his departure left a sour taste. Days after his testimonial. Would love to know the full story behind him leaving.