Ross County captain Jack Baldwin out to emulate manager Malky Mackay
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Jack Baldwin hopes he could just be about to hit new heights in his football career – much like his current boss at Ross County, Malky Mackay.
Mackay came into professional football relatively late, signing for Celtic at 21-years-old.
He found a new lease of life, though, after moving south to England at 26, playing the best football of his career at Norwich City, West Ham United and Watford over the next 10 years.
Baldwin, at 29, is constantly learning from the Staggies boss and former Scotland international as a fellow central defender.
Mackay’s advice has been invaluable in developing the partnership between Baldwin and Alex Iacovitti.
Now, the ex-Sunderland and Peterborough United man hopes to emulate his manager by saving his best performances for a time in his career when many people may be expecting him to begin easing off – with both men thinking he is capable of it.
“When I first signed I highlighted the fact that he was a top level centre back himself,” Baldwin recalled.
“We’ve had multiple chats where he has told me he didn’t start playing his best football until he was in his early-30s, which I’ll be approaching soon.
“He believes that could be the case for me as well, that there’s still a lot more to come, and hopefully that’s the case.
“His experience and knowledge helps to understand game scenarios and how things will play out.
“It’s brilliant to have as a centre half, definitely.
“On the flip side he’s brilliant with the forwards as well, because defenders know what we don’t want from attackers, so he relays that to our forward players to help them kick on as well.
“The balance that he’s got is brilliant, he’s great to work with.”
Ross County return from the international break tomorrow afternoon with a home match against Hibernian.
County could move up to ninth in the table with a win.
