MALKY Mackay spoke to the assembled media today (Tuesday) about his new post as Caretaker Manager at Watford Football Club.

The former Celtic defender met Chairman Graham Simpson and Chief Executive Mark Ashton last night and was told of the news regarding Aidy Boothroyd's departure from the Hornets.

The pair asked the Reserve team boss to take over as Caretaker Manager and he accepted the proposition.

Speaking today he said: "I don't think you can predict when you think you're going to be offered a job.

"Sometimes people are rushed into jobs or others can bide their time for 20 years waiting for a job. I don't think there is a set way of doing it; you just have to look at every situation.

"I was proud and honoured that Graham offered me the chance to take the reins of this football club. When Aidy brought me to this club, I was delighted about the success we had at that stage of my career, especially at the Millennium Stadium.

"The last couple of years have been great in terms of a transition into coaching, it's something I'm passionate about and I'm desperate to do.

Mackay's team take training this morning

"So it's easy if you want to do something that you love doing. It's a tough league and I've been in it a long time, whether you're top or bottom you never know who is going to win a game."

Mackay joined the 'Orns in August 2005 and gained his third promotion from the Championship the following May in Cardiff against Leeds United in the play-off final.

He played for the Golden Boys in the Premiership season and since then has slowly but surely eased his way into the coaching side of things, ultimately taking charge of the reserve team over the summer.

Mackay formally addressed the players at London Colney this morning, speaking with the backroom staff, senior players and then the group as a whole.

The boys go through their paces at London Colney

The former defender wants to get the confidence running high again and doesn't believe the disruption will affect his troops - it's unfortunately something that all professional footballers will experience at some time or another in their careers.

Mackay added: "Invariably, unless you're a youth team player, it would have happened to every one of these players before.

"I think I had five managers in five years at Celtic. It sounds strange but people just get on with their lives."

Going forward the Hornets need to get some points on the board, starting with Swansea on Sunday and a cup clash at The Liberty Stadium too next Tuesday. High on the list of priorities is stopping the goals against - something that all the players need to take responsibility for according to the man in charge.

"There have been various mistakes" commented Mackay, "it's not something that would normally happen otherwise they wouldn't be in the team.

Suited and booted as Malky meets the media

"As a team we have to defend better. There have been various mistakes from various parts of the team, in the last few years that's not something that has been happening from those individuals otherwise they wouldn't be at the club."

The 36-year-old added: "The Championship is unpredictable and we've got a lot of tough games ahead of us.

"Recently we've lost some high scoring encounters and I think some confidence needs to be brought back into some players - you're looking at players who have shown great performances in the past and that's why they're here.

"We lose goals not as a defence but as a team - as a team we have to defend better."

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