New Scottish Football Association performance director Malky Mackay has insisted that he has learnt from his past mistakes and urged people to judge him by his actions going forward.
Mackay was confirmed in the new role earlier today - his first job since the conclusion of an 11-month FA investigation into a series of discriminatory text messages exchanged between himself and his head of recruitment Iain Moody during their time together at Cardiff City.
The FA ultimately took no action against the Scot, and Mackay believes that he is more educated now and capable of passing on his wisdom to young Scottish players and coaches.
"Three years ago I apologised publicly and in front of cameras. I apologised privately for the three texts to the two gentlemen that I spoke about. And for the last three years I have been involved in diversity and equality meetings and basically been on an education to the point where I probably know more about it than anybody in this room in terms of then actually going on to talk to young players and coaches concerning it," he told reporters.
"I suppose in any part of what you do it's about educating yourself generally. In the last couple of years I have been seeking out best practice all over the world in football and other sports. You are educating yourself and I think that can make you better in any field you are involved in.
"What I said at the time I deeply regret. But it's about learning from that and going on from there, and making sure that my understanding of what happened there, I can pass on to others. Come in and talk to me and I've got to prove by my actions, but then you can judge by yourself. People that know me know exactly what I am and who I am, but if you don't know me, judge me by what you see going forward."
Mackay replaces former Manchester United midfielder Brian McClair in the role.
Barney Corkhill
