| With matters relating to the appointment of a new team boss, players’ contracts, shirt sponsors and talks over possible league reconstruction all needing immediate attention, the new Dens supremo has had to hit the ground running and faces a hectic first few days in charge.
Even so, he is confident of being able to tackle his workload and has made confirming who will be picking the team from next season as his top priority.
Today, he admitted he had already made progress — Rangers veteran Alex Rae has been strongly linked — and expects his first task to be completed in days rather than weeks.
With three or four names on his list, MacKinnon has already been speaking to candidates and revealed it was now unlikely the Dark Blues would be holding formal interviews.
“I am some way down the road with the manager situation and one thing I will not do is waste people’s time by having interviews that are not needed,” he said today.
“The way things are going at the moment, I would expect to have someone in place by the end of next week and I think it is important we do that, because that paves the way for players to be dealt with.
“There have to be talks with players and, while I would do that if I had to, I think it is obvious it is better if it is done by the manager, who will know who he wants in his squad.”
Tomorrow will see him break off from that task and head for Broadwood to represent Dundee at the meeting of First Division clubs, some of whom want to break away from the SFL.
They are unhappy over the lack of new league sponsors, a television deal and the way the lower division money is divided.
While MacKinnon, however, believes there is a need for change, he feels it should be brought about through discussion rather than confrontation.
“I will be representing the club and, in some ways, it will be a fact-finding exercise for me, but I do also have my own views.
“I think, right now, there is a definite split in the game between teams who have found their level and others who believe that, through full-time football, they can go higher.
“If the set-up does not support that, change should be brought about, but it should be done through the proper channels.
“In some ways it is unfortunate it has been a debate in the Press and some of what has been said is not helpful.”
Aberdeen have completed their move for Dundee keeper Derek Soutar.
The former Scotland Future squad player, who is 25 today, will put pen to paper on a Pittodrie contract when the UEFA transfer window reopens on July 1.
The Dons have agreed to take on the remaining year of “Soapy’s” contract and have given him a one-year extension to come in as back-up to former Dens Park team-mate Jamie Langfield.
It is understood the Dark Blues will not seek a fee because they were asking Soutar to take a wage cut.
Aberdeen have also made an approach for Livingston defender David McNamee. |
