MacKenzie keen to get going
Just under a month after signing from Argyle, Jack MacKenzie arrived at a sunny Home Park, on the eve of pre-season, excited to complete media duties and get under way in the South West of England.
The former Aberdeen full-back chose to leave his home city and make the switch to Plymouth just days after the Dons beat Celtic on penalties to win their first Scottish Cup in over 30 years.
Despite the change of scenery being quite different from the North East of Scotland to Devon, Jack felt it was the perfect time to move on, and the lure of Argyle fit the bill for the Scotsman.
“I'm absolutely delighted to be here,” MacKenzie told Argyle TV. “I feel it's been a long time coming because I officially signed quite a few weeks ago, but I'm delighted. It's nice and sunny down here, a bit of a change from Aberdeen! I'm very much looking forward to it.
“I felt it was the right time for me to move on from Aberdeen. I've been there my whole career, since I was nine years old, and I felt as though I was ready for a new challenge, a new league. When I heard about the interest from Argyle, it was kind of a no-brainer.
“It fits exactly what I wanted. It's a big club and has a good fan base. Despite being relegated last season, I feel as though the club is on an upward trajectory as well. It felt like the perfect fit.
“The Green Army is one thing that stuck and from what I've heard about players that have played in England, I see how good a club it is. All those things tick the boxes for me and when I heard about the interest, I then learned a wee more about the club. I liked what I heard, so it was a no-brainer in the end.”
Jack’s Aberdeen career spanned over 16 years, but his first-team debut came in 2021 in a league tie against Dundee United. Since then, the 24-year-old made over 100 appearances, scoring three goals, and only speaks highly of his time and development with the Scottish side.
He said: “I've got so much pride playing for Aberdeen. It was a dream come true. Making my debut and then going on to play a hundred games, it was just amazing and to top it off by winning the Scottish Cup, that was unbelievable. It’s still a 'pinch-me' moment and the perfect way to leave that football club.
“It's an amazing club, but I'm looking forward to getting started here because I think this will be an amazing club as well.
“I was a wee bit of a late developer. I think I was 20 and went on loan to Forfar Athletic, in the Scottish League One. I only played about 15 games, but it was the best thing for me. It was my first taste of men's football, and I had a brilliant coach and players that helped me through it.
“A few months after that I made my debut against Dundee United and from there I kicked on. There have been bumps in the road, but it all felt like it led to that moment at the Scottish Cup final, and to win that it feels like my journey was perfect and complete as well.”
With the celebrations and final taking place just a few weeks before the start of pre-season, MacKenzie ensured he was ticking over his fitness levels, but also admitted that he was excited to get going and start his career in green.
MacKenzie said: “The cup final was less than four weeks ago, so I haven't had too long off but kept myself ticking over. I’m ready to get going, meet the boys and staff, get settled in and be ready to go.
“Left-back is where I've predominantly played. However, I've played left centre-back in European games before and wing-back a lot as well, so I like to think I'm quite adaptable on that left-hand side. I like the non-negotiables: I’m hard-working; I like to think I'm quite strong defensively in one-on-ones; get forward and involved; crossing into the box; getting to the bye-line. I like to think I can do it all.
“I think I’m an all-rounder as a full-back, but I know I've got a lot to work on as well and I'm excited to work with the new coaching staff to take my game to another level."
