History-maker Mckay grabs crucial Caley survival strike
NOBODY has scored more goals in Caley Thistle’s history than Billy Mckay.
But the club legend rates Saturday’s winner as right up there with the most important of his career.
On a day when only a win would do, the veteran of 291 appearances slid home his 112th goal for the Highlanders to keep their hopes of retaining Championship football alive.
With financial strife behind the scenes causing tremors of fear for all associated with the 30-year-old outfit, staying in the second tier holds huge importance.
But in a closely-fought contest, Cameron Harper’s swerving corner was headed downward by Wallace Duffy and found Mckay preying on the finish close-in to seal the victory.
The striker’s grasp on the significance of his finish was crystal clear in the impassioned goal celebration as relief swirled around the Caledonian Stadium.
Montrose were stubborn opponents but now Hamilton Accies await in the two-legged Championship play-off final.
The 35-year-old Northern Ireland cap said: “It was a massive goal. It is right up there for me but hopefully I can score even more important goals in these next two games.
“We needed a breakthrough. It wasn’t the prettiest performance in the final third but luckily I was there at the right moment to put it in the back of the net.
“It felt good. I enjoyed the celebration with the fans. Everyone felt the relief.”
Having netted just before the hour mark Mckay was hooked by boss Duncan Ferguson seven minutes later.
While Ferguson was clearly taking precautions to ensure the veteran was fit and fresh for Wednesday night’s first-leg final, it felt premature with Montrose scrapping to stay in the game.
And Mckay added: “It was a long half after being taken off.
“I never welcome coming off the park but I got a little knock on my ankle and I don’t know if the gaffer saw that.
“He changed it and, to be honest, it was absolute torture watching the rest of the game. The lads dug in and got it over the
line. Montrose threatened once and Mark Ridgers pulled off the save.
“Apart from that it was comfortable, although it didn’t feel comfortable to me because we wanted to win so much. “Half the job is done and we’ve got Hamilton now to beat to try to stay in this division.
“All that matters is staying in the Championship, no matter how we do it.”
Mckay felt the players showed bottle in a pressure situation at a home ground where they have struggled this season