Angus MacDonald spoke to RedTV earlier this week before he put pen to paper on a new contract. The defender reflected on how things have gone this past month in April and previewed the final five games of the campaign in May. Angus also talked about the important work he has been doing off the field with charity Clan Cancer Support.
The full interview is available by clicking on the video link above.
“I have loved every minute. The fans have accepted me. They have been fantastic. I have enjoyed the city and enjoy the football.
“It has been an enjoyable spell on the pitch since I came through the door.
“The results before that were not the best and the club were not in the table where they wanted to be. It has been a massive turnaround and the lads have really dug deep, they have trained hard and that hard work has shown on the pitch.
“It is one of the best run of games I have had as a player. I don’t remember a spell where I have kept six cleansheets and won seven games in a row, doing this whilst also fighting for the prize we are fighting for, which is European football.
“It is a massive credit to the team and the coaching staff what they have done over the past two months.
“You have three central defenders back there who are obviously dying to keep cleansheets. But you have strikers who are wanting to defend. Midfielders you want to get tight to people. Kelle behind us, making big saves. Players coming off the bench who are working hard to keep cleansheets.
“There is a massive desire to win games of football and get the club back to where we think they should be.
“Liam is different to Mattie. Liam is like a silent assassin. Mattie is a bit louder! So two very different people alongside me, different characters but both good players who bring something different to the team and ultimately they are both great defenders.
“I remember just before Liam’s goal on Sunday, shouting no to him!! He did something similar against St Johnstone and the ball bobbled up before he hit it and went sailing over the bar into row Z. That clip got put in the group chat afterwards! So it reminded me of that, and then the ball goes in! He has never meant that but it one to add to his highlight reel.
“Liam has got better and stronger since I have come in and his performance against Rangers was excellent.
“I must always mention the wingbacks, Jonny and Ross. I think they have got an extra pair of lungs compard to me because I could not do that job. They are up and down the pitch the whole game, both sides. They have been excellent and they add something to the team going forward and defensively.
The defender also recognised the role the Red Army have played in the run of wins.
“The atmosphere on Sunday was I think the best I have played in. The supporters got right behind the team. The noise was loud throughout, especially when that first goal went in and it gave us a real lift. From then on there was a real belief that we were going to go on and get the three points.
“It is cliché to say the fans lift the players or are the 12 man but you saw on Sunday, the last 10-15 minutes where we needed a lift because you have been playing 75 minutes of football against a very good team. Sometimes it is just that extra bit of noise or extra bit of support to help you get over the line.”
One attribute that is very noticeable in Angus’ performances is the calmness and focus that he brings to the backline.
“I am calm now on the field. I never used to be! I think I missed too many games through red and yellow cards. The passion is still there, don’t get me wrong – I want to defend, I want to block the ball. But if there is a tear up, I leave that to others now! I try and stay levelheaded and relaxed.
“You have to stay focussed for the full 90 minutes, or 95 of 100 minutes these days. If you get caught up with other things, it can affect your concentration and take your mind away from the job you need to do.”
Angus also looked ahead to the post-split fixtures.
“Someone needed to explain the league split to me! I had a lot of friends and family down south who thought the season had finished last weekend!
“I don’t think since coming in the door there has been an easy game. Every game has been a difficult fixture. And five more tough matches to come. We have got ourselves into a position where we are five points clear. But there is a lot of work ahead. We have a couple of good big home games to look forward to, where we know the fans will turn out in their numbers again, and some big games on the road. We just need to stick in and keep working hard to hopefully get the results that we need.”
Finally he was asked about the impact of the management and the job they have done.
“I have been really impressed with the manager – the way he conducts himself and influences things on the training pitch and explains what he wants. Training is not easy, but the hard work we put in on the training pitch has shown in the games. We are breaking faster, we are getting up the pitch quicker, we are getting back into our shape better. The fitness levels are massive for the manager and it is something we work on in training.
“Every manager I have worked under is different. Some are more relaxed. Some want different things. Some want training to be harder. He is one of the tougher managers in terms of the training and fitness side of things, but the players believe in what he is doing. They have responded. There is no moaning or groaning. You get the work done and you get rewarded for it.
“Steve Agnew is a great guy. He bring a lot of quality and class with him. They are both really respected by all the players. They have both been there and done it. So when they talk we listen.
“They send us out with a clear game plan but they can see when things are going well or maybe going wrong and they have the ability to make changes. Credit to them for making the changes. For example at half time in the Rangers game, we regrouped and they made just a couple of little adjustments that made all the difference.
“The team spirit here is special. I have been in a lot of dressing rooms and the bond I see between the players, the coaching team and all the staff around the building at Cormack Park, it is one I have not seen before and it is easily the best dressing room I have had the pleasure to be a part of.”
