Lessons from the Beautiful Game
Don MacNaughton
High Performance Coaching and Mentoring for Corporate Leaders, Sports Coaches and Those at a Crossroads
I’m delighted the first current player in “The Dressing Room” is my good friend John Rankin. The first thing that struck me about Ranks when we worked at Ross County and Inverness was his desire to improve to be always moving forward . John is a great role model for young players.
Q) Biggest Influence in your Career ?
A) I have to say the biggest influence in my career is my father. He didn't let me away with anything when I was a kid and made sure I set standards and continued to improve them. Always had me doing extra on the park after his work or on a day off he had. After a game he would pick out every negatives and help me improve them.
In some peoples minds this would cause insecurity but certainly not I can assess my own performance and not falsely believe I have had a good game.
Even to this date I'm nearly 34 and his words hurt the most after a poor pass or silly mistake. With players and managers I have a thick skin but he's been with me from the very start at 9 years old.
Without him and my mum sacrificing their life's to take me to training 3/4 times a week I wouldn't have had a career in the game.
Q)Hardest Challenge you overcame in your career. ?
A) The hardest challenge has to be over coming being released by such a big club as a kid. It bothered me obviously, but having the mindset that I learned to develop it was work harder and take responsibility for my own career no one would give me anything I had to earn it myself.
Earn a contract, earn the wins and earn bonuses and ultimately earn the moves and success that would provide me and my family.
Q)Whats one message you would give to young players today ?
A)The one thing I would say to every young player is shut off from the outside world and give yourself every chance to be a first team player you possibly can.
You'll get one chance at it and you have to make the most of it.
Have no regrets about working hard, give everything you have everyday because football is like a bank in many ways... What you put in you'll get back out with well earned interest .
For more interviews visit my website www.donaldmacnaughton.com