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Malky Mackay takes Cardiff into semi-finals in Speed tribute

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Malky Mackay Cardiff newsMalky Mackay steered Cardiff City into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup but the former Celts’ thoughts were with the family of Gary Speed.

Last night’s 2-0 win over Bladckburn Rovers was played in a tide of emotion in the Welsh capital as the nation struggles to come to terms with the death of Speed.

Cardiff join Manchester City and Liverpool in the semi-final draw with Manchester United or Crystal Palace competing for the final place tonight.

Despite the joy of his own side’s achievement the evening was tinged with sadness as Mackay admitted afterwards.

It was an emotional evening and there were a lot of people here tonight with Gary Speed on their minds,” the Cardiff boss admitted.

“The last couple of days have not been easy but our players and staff managed to clear their heads this morning and focus on the game tonight and to go out and put Wales into the semi-finals is another little tribute to Gary.”

Before the match the former Celt had revealed: “ He (Gary Speed) was one of the first people to congratulate me on getting the Cardiff City job.

“He wanted our club and the national team to be close and I thought that was fantastic. It was a good relationship and as it should be between the two top clubs in Wales and the national team.

“The amount of people of a high standing who have come out and paid tribute shows you the mark of the man and how well he was thought of in British sport.”

Cardiff were too strong for Blackburn in every area with the outcome hardly a shock as the promotion chasers ko’d the Premiership strugglers.

Mackay added: “I’m very proud of my group – the staff and the players. The way they adapted tonight. After the first 15 or 20 minutes I thought we settled down really well, showed great discipline and certainly the talent showed through.

“It was a lovely finish from Kenny Miller and he was unlucky not to have put us further ahead – he had another good chance late in the half.

“I was delighted with the way we started the second half because sometimes when a club get a break and a breather things can change after half-time.

“But we went out and were fantastic in the transition between defending and attacking. I thought some of our passing was incredible tonight.

“I’m very proud of everyone to get to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup for the first time in 40 odd years, something that everyone at the football club is proud off and an awful lot of hard work has gone into that this year.”

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