Ian Mackay, regardless of what happens next Thursday, will be one of the most outstanding men of the 2019-20 Playoff. “For many he is the best goalkeeper in the entire category,” said the Footters commentators before the fateful round between Sabadell and Atlético de Madrid B. They were not without reason or, at least, he took it upon himself to prove it moments later. First was Toni Moya the one that collided with his arms-strength; after, Cedric; and to finish Abde. Three maximum penalties detained is enough reason to inquire into its history. In Makaay's. Sorry Mackay. Don't worry because it has an explanation.
For those not so familiar with the category, the idea that the Sabadell goalkeeper was a relative of the legendary striker of Deportivo or Bayern, probably crossed their minds. Roy Makaay. They are not even written the same, neither are Isaiah Thomas and Isiah Thomas, and everyone wondered if they were father and son when the former ex-Boston Celtics guard was drafted 60th in 2011. If it happened yesterday with the 'Mackay saga', let them know that they are not, nor will they be, the only ones.
In his day, the fact that he was Deportivo's youth squad helped confusion. Despite his name, Ian Mackay is born in A Coruña, although his father is Scottish. For this reason he opted for the Scottish team, with which he came to test in lower categories. Such was the lack of knowledge in his country that the certainty that Mackay, with CK and one TO he was the son of Makaay, with only one K and two TO. It was not even necessary other criteria to know that something was wrong in such a thesis.
“They even said when I went to Scotland that I was Makaay's son. I was 14 years old and he was 27”
Mackay
But there were more powerful arguments, like the fact that he had Mackay by then 14 years old and Makaay, the one from Bayern, 27. Footballers are often young parents, but mathematics did not fit this assumption. However, the current goalkeeper of Sabadell took it with humor and tells it as one more experience of his sports career.
“They got to say when I was summoned with the Scottish selection that I was Makaay's son. I was 14 years old and Makaay was 27. Many times people hear bells and don't know where. And, of course, they always misspelled my last name, “he explained with a laugh in an interview in La Voz de Galicia last year.
A pink shirt as a tribute
“It is a tribute to my parents, I feel that they protect me”
Mackay and his pink shirt
On his heroic afternoon against Atlético de Madrid B he wore the usual pink kit, as he already did at Racing de Ferrol and other destinations of his career. Color is not a superstition or a fashionable taste. Mackay explained that wears it to honor the death of her parents, who died of cancer. Since then, he has done the impossible to be able to symbolically remind them in every game.
“Sometimes I had trouble being able to show it off, since some referees go red, but I insisted to the Racing delegates that they do everything possible to convince them, in case they can wear other uniforms. For me, something very important, “he recalled, alluding to his time in Ferrol.”My shirt is a tribute to them, I have the feeling that they protect me“, he pointed out in his preparation with Sabadell.
Married kilt
Another anecdote of which he is already one of the great protagonists of this Playoff is his clothing on his wedding day. Mackay's father was a ship captain and met his mother at a stop in Spain. For this reason, the goalkeeper is born in A Coruña, but he has dual nationality and opted for the Scottish team. Of course, he follows the traditions of his father's native country.
According to La Voz de Galicia, he married frac, but at the ceremony the kilt was worn to honor the family tradition. His father, uncle and brother-in-law also dressed like this and he was not going to be less. During the banquet and the bridal dance he wore it, something he remembers with pride.