Malky Mackay has told raging Hibernian fans to "judge him on the person that I am" as he addressed those criticising his appointment as sporting director.
The 52-year-old was added to the Hibs staff on Tuesday, just hours after they parted ways with manager, Nick Montgomery.
But Mackay's announcement was met by a huge backlash. Hibs' ultra group, Block Seven labelled it a "disgrace" and an "insult" while many were also quick to highlight the one-time Scotland coach's past.
READ MORE: Who is Malky Mackay, Hibernian's new sporting director?
Discussing the angry reaction from Hibs supporters, the former Ross County manager defended his credibility to be taking on such position and urged disgruntled punters to make their own mind up during his time in Leith.
Speaking to Hibs TV, he explained: "I completely understand that everyone has points of view.
"What I'd say is to really judge me on the person that I am, and you see going forward for Hibernian football club.
"I've been in football for 30, but I've been in Scotland for seven years; four years at the Scottish FA and nearly three years at Ross County, and I've got such a passion for our game and for the club that I work for, and the national association I was with.
"I would like people to judge me for the person that they meet, they see that I am for their football club, and it's something that I'm proud and privileged now to be working for Hibernian football club.
"So, that being the case, I will do everything that I can to make sure that we have success at the football club going forward and they will see someone who is driven and wanting to do the best for their club."
READ MORE: Hibs told they are making a mistake by releasing experienced pair
The sporting director is a fresh role being made in the Hibs boardroom and Mackay provided some insight into what his job will entail.
He continued: "A sporting director, director of football, a technical director or performance director, a lot of places it's just semantics; the name of that title.
"It's about high performance, making sure that various different areas of a football club are working efficiently, properly, functioning transparently, and working cohesively.
"For example, at the Scottish FA, the performance directors role entailed looking after seven national youth teams, sports science, medicine, talent identification, performance analysis, coaching club academies in the country, and overseeing the seven performance schools in the country.
"And it's not too different at a club. I will be looking after our academy, overseeing our academy, making sure that the pathway between the academy and hopefully our kids getting through to our first team is a cohesive one.
"The relationship with the performance school, we are lucky enough that we have got one here in Edinburgh, and there are a lot of the Hibs kids in there.
"So, that relationship will be solid because it's a fantastic program and it's one that is going to really help our youngsters, and hopefully they will end up in our first team."
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