Mackay urges Rhodes to bide his time over Scot shot
8:12am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
Blackburn Rovers ’ £8million man Jordan Rhodes should take a patient approach to his international dreams, with scoring on a regular basis in the Championship needing to be his immediate priority.
That is the view of former Rovers manager Don Mackay, who has warned the 22-year-old Scottish hot-shot his big money transfer means little until he has proved himself on the field.
Scotland fans are calling for Rhodes to be handed his first competitive start in this evening’s World Cup qualification match against Macedonia at Hampden, after he was left on the bench until the last nine minutes during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Serbia.
But Mackay, who gave fellow Scot, Colin Hendry, his big chance at Rovers, insists Rhodes has plenty of time to endear himself to the Tartan Army and that he still has a lot to prove before he can expect to become an international regular.
Rhodes’ switch from Huddersfield to Ewood Park last month saw him equal Rovers’ transfer record fee and become English football’s most expensive player outside the top flight.
He is likely to make just his second start for the club in Saturday’s trip to Bristol City and Mackay believes succeeding at domestic level has to be his first challenge.
Mackay, who managed Rovers between 1987 and 1991, said: “It doesn’t really matter what he cost. All that does is show that the owners are prepared to back a promotion push financially but, for the player, there is still everything to prove.
“His goal scoring record is fantastic but that is mostly in League One and now he has to play regularly at Blackburn Rovers and score goals in the Championship on a consistent basis. That is the next aim for him.
“If he plays regularly and scores goals at Blackburn Rovers then of course he will get that big chance for Scotland. It is a simple as that really. Until he does that, you can’t say he is tried and trusted.”
Mackay, who is moving back to Scotland in search for scouting work, believes Rhodes will be a success at Ewood and could even earn similar cult hero status as Hendry did.
He believes Rhodes’ quiet approach is the right way forward and is hopeful Ewood Park will provide the perfect stage for him to prove his talents.
Mackay, 72, said: “It is important he just lets his football do the talking. Playing in the Championship is a whole new challenge and I’m sure it is one he is looking forward to taking on.
“It is encouraging to hear the player has already said the fee means nothing and that he just wants to play for the club and score goals to help them get promoted.
“That is the best and only way he can grow his reputation. When you are playing at a new level, there is no guarantee you will be a success, all you can do is work hard.
“It was like I brought Colin Hendry to Blackburn from Dundee reserves. He got his head down, worked hard and look at what he achieved. Hopefully Jordan can enjoy similar success at Ewood Park.”
Comments(33)
Rovers 1495
says...
8:32am Tue 11 Sep 12
Lancs - pensioner wrote:Everyone was after him ? You mean the Police ?
We had a promising young Scot called Goodwilley that every one was after, he then got coached by an idiot and Goodwilley now plays for Crystal Palace on loan,
God help you Rhodsey but good luck anyway.
jinkyjase
says...
8:56am Tue 11 Sep 12
eddie the eagle
says...
9:14am Tue 11 Sep 12
makaveli96
says...
10:49am Tue 11 Sep 12
MxMave
says...
11:12am Tue 11 Sep 12
Mickstew
says...
11:36am Tue 11 Sep 12
bburnrover
says...
11:57am Tue 11 Sep 12
Your correct Jordan is untested at Championship level although a monkey should score two or three a year.
garyintandem
says...
1:03pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Wembley tonight, Bristol on Saturday
COYB
jogalot
says...
2:30pm Tue 11 Sep 12
juanbbien
says...
4:29pm Tue 11 Sep 12
garyintandem wrote:I think Don Mackay in monetary terms was taken care of by Bill Fox I seem to remember
Don was the one who started thebig turnaround and was replaced by King Kenny. I hope UncleJack took care of you Don, you deserved it. Wish you were here!
Wembley tonight, Bristol on Saturday
COYB
Road Runner Road Runner
says...
5:16pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Under Mackay Liverpool University carried out a survey on the 'meanest defense' at the time such was the exemplary nature of the man and his charges at the time.
I've never forgotten him for the efforts he gave to BRFC, and I also include the Crystal Palace 2 legged affair !
72 ? Wow.
A top top man and I thank him for re-energizing BRFC in his tenure.
Arte et labore
peely
says...
6:00pm Tue 11 Sep 12
champs95
says...
6:42pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Road Runner Road Runner wrote:Did he get enough time in '91?
This was the guy who injected new optimism into the era at BRFC.
Under Mackay Liverpool University carried out a survey on the 'meanest defense' at the time such was the exemplary nature of the man and his charges at the time.
I've never forgotten him for the efforts he gave to BRFC, and I also include the Crystal Palace 2 legged affair !
72 ? Wow.
A top top man and I thank him for re-energizing BRFC in his tenure.
Arte et labore
champs95
says...
6:55pm Tue 11 Sep 12
peely wrote:He bought some future stars as well, Hendry, Atkins, Price and was Sellars his buy?
Brought us some big name signings in the likes of Steve Archibald, Frank Stapleton , Kevin Moran and Ossie Ardiles ! Donut & pension robber out !
CheltRover
says...
7:25pm Tue 11 Sep 12
champs95 wrote:How we used to slate Atko at the time. He would be such an asset in this current team
peely wrote:He bought some future stars as well, Hendry, Atkins, Price and was Sellars his buy?
Brought us some big name signings in the likes of Steve Archibald, Frank Stapleton , Kevin Moran and Ossie Ardiles ! Donut & pension robber out !
whappen
says...
7:32pm Tue 11 Sep 12
champs95 wrote:Not really but Uncle Jack (RIP) knew he had to make a statement of intent and it couldn't get much bigger than hiring King Kenny.
Road Runner Road Runner wrote: This was the guy who injected new optimism into the era at BRFC. Under Mackay Liverpool University carried out a survey on the 'meanest defense' at the time such was the exemplary nature of the man and his charges at the time. I've never forgotten him for the efforts he gave to BRFC, and I also include the Crystal Palace 2 legged affair ! 72 ? Wow. A top top man and I thank him for re-energizing BRFC in his tenure. Arte et laboreDid he get enough time in '91?
Unfortunate for Don but essential for what happened next.
There would have been no Shearer for starters and, ironically, you probably wouldn't have been able to use your pen name.
peely
says...
7:36pm Tue 11 Sep 12
CheltRover wrote:Scott Sellars was signed by Bobby Saxton I think for around £20 grand in 86 I believe. Great left foot and a good player for Rovers.
champs95 wrote:How we used to slate Atko at the time. He would be such an asset in this current team
peely wrote:He bought some future stars as well, Hendry, Atkins, Price and was Sellars his buy?
Brought us some big name signings in the likes of Steve Archibald, Frank Stapleton , Kevin Moran and Ossie Ardiles ! Donut & pension robber out !
champs95
says...
8:49pm Tue 11 Sep 12
CheltRover wrote:Agreed, he had a tough time at right back in the early days but he won a medal that Gerrard never will - and he held the door open for me in Manhattan Heights, what a gent.
champs95 wrote:How we used to slate Atko at the time. He would be such an asset in this current team
peely wrote:He bought some future stars as well, Hendry, Atkins, Price and was Sellars his buy?
Brought us some big name signings in the likes of Steve Archibald, Frank Stapleton , Kevin Moran and Ossie Ardiles ! Donut & pension robber out !
Ewood say that!
says...
9:08pm Tue 11 Sep 12
peely wrote:i think we paid £35K for sellars.a real bargain and remember fondly singing "scotty scotty beam us up" in the blackburn end.good player,great days even though the club was being run on a shoe string!
CheltRover wrote:Scott Sellars was signed by Bobby Saxton I think for around £20 grand in 86 I believe. Great left foot and a good player for Rovers.
champs95 wrote:How we used to slate Atko at the time. He would be such an asset in this current team
peely wrote:He bought some future stars as well, Hendry, Atkins, Price and was Sellars his buy?
Brought us some big name signings in the likes of Steve Archibald, Frank Stapleton , Kevin Moran and Ossie Ardiles ! Donut & pension robber out !
blueblooded
says...
9:15pm Tue 11 Sep 12
(c) Steve Kean
earwego
says...
11:29pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Keans record P71 W19 D 16 L 36 Don wins hands down from the bonehead now in charge. What a disgraceful record Kean has. Does anybody know of any other manager with a worst record who kept his job? Answers on a postcard to Pune,the home of the intelligent one.
A Darener
says...
8:17am Wed 12 Sep 12
P888HOW
says...
9:31am Wed 12 Sep 12
CheltRover wrote:Mark Atkins, good guy ,i used to she him going in for training every day ,and during close season.( on his own) he worked very hard , he was better than most of this shower at the mo. Hope your well Mark !!!
champs95 wrote:How we used to slate Atko at the time. He would be such an asset in this current team
peely wrote:He bought some future stars as well, Hendry, Atkins, Price and was Sellars his buy?
Brought us some big name signings in the likes of Steve Archibald, Frank Stapleton , Kevin Moran and Ossie Ardiles ! Donut & pension robber out !
makaveli96
says...
11:43am Wed 12 Sep 12
- Paddy Power
Sportivo
says...
11:43am Wed 12 Sep 12
What a great team... Terry Gennoe, Colin Hendry, Mark Atkins, Chris Sulley, Nicky Reid, David Mail, John Millar, Howard Gayle, Andy Kennedy, Scott Sellars and of course Simon Garner.
Hendry and Atkins of course stayed to win us the title, but they are all my heroes. They gave 100% and win or lose, that's what always mattered to me.
I'll be taking my son to the Rovers for the first time this season. I wonder if Rhodes, Gomes, Murphy, Robinson etc will become his heroes?
Road Runner Road Runner
says...
2:04pm Wed 12 Sep 12
whappen wrote:I guess you have your answer there Champ95, and thanks to whappen for that
champs95 wrote:Not really but Uncle Jack (RIP) knew he had to make a statement of intent and it couldn't get much bigger than hiring King Kenny.
Road Runner Road Runner wrote: This was the guy who injected new optimism into the era at BRFC. Under Mackay Liverpool University carried out a survey on the 'meanest defense' at the time such was the exemplary nature of the man and his charges at the time. I've never forgotten him for the efforts he gave to BRFC, and I also include the Crystal Palace 2 legged affair ! 72 ? Wow. A top top man and I thank him for re-energizing BRFC in his tenure. Arte et laboreDid he get enough time in '91?
Unfortunate for Don but essential for what happened next.
There would have been no Shearer for starters and, ironically, you probably wouldn't have been able to use your pen name.
Mr Mackay most certainly became the recipient of BRFC's well known family orientated blessings.
IMO, DM can most certainly forever have a hand in the success that followed with his steady and committed tenure at BRFC.
Let us hope that the trait BRFC are renowned for continues ?
Arte et labore
A Darener
says...
2:13pm Wed 12 Sep 12
silverstan
says...
4:59pm Wed 12 Sep 12
icannotrace
says...
9:02pm Wed 12 Sep 12
RTID
says...
9:11pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Although saying that I applaud the powers that be for generally trying to build a young skillful squad - we all know the reason why it hasn't worked.
Reg Rover
says...
11:57am Thu 13 Sep 12
Nowhere has the rise of the owner-manager been more acutely felt than at Blackburn Rovers were the influence of bogus advisors and board room pig-headedness led to the demise of one manager, Sam Allardyce, and the appointment of an inferior replacement, resulting in relegation. Now Steve Kean confesses he has not even seen three of his deadline-day signings play live, having come as recommendations from Blackburn’s global advisor Shebby Singh (pic above).
It is dangerous enough when these owner-manager schemes are headed up by men like Roman Abramovich, who provide the investment to support their whims, when it is the mere work of stooges, calamity awaits.
But is Shebby Singh to blame, Kean indicates the players were signed on Shebby’s say so.
Why has Kean come out with this statement? He knew it would receive ridicule in the National press or was that Kean’s purpose? Judging on Kean’s past exploits I suspect it was.
Let me ask you all a question. When Rovers scattergun player recruitment policy was in operation last season, and Rovers signed a ‘ load of dross’ resulting in relegation, do you think for one minute Kean actually saw most of those signing’s play. No he did not.
He has already stated that he was burdened with players “not of his choice” as he played his usual blame game following relegation.
Then who did sign those players and bring them to the club, none other than Jerome (the man who ruined Blackburn Rovers) Anderson including his son Myles (yet to kick a ball for the Rovers) Anderson. Did Kean go to the National press then?. No he did not. Because Kean knows he is beholding to Anderson for having landed the Rovers job in the first place.
But Shebby Singh is another matter. If things go wrong, as they will, Shebby will get the blame. He is a convenient scape goat for Kean.
Kean plays a waiting game. He did it with Paul Hunt, successfully removing him Ewood Park six months after Hunt wanted Kean sacking. Kean wants rid of Shebby Singh.
Shebby you are up against a slippery, conniving opponent.
BEWARE.
Reg.
www.regoftherovers.c
o.uk
Phil Simpson
says...
6:43pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Lancs - pensioner says...
8:27am Tue 11 Sep 12
God help you Rhodsey but good luck anyway.