McStay's challenging times at Ujpest

There are no cracked crests yet but when Ujpest Dozsa face Diosgyor this afternoon on on the back of two consecutive league defeats the stakes will be high.

The winter break has been cruel on Willie McStay's squad with back-to-back defeats from Gyor and Kecskemeti derailing their title hopes.

Hungary's season closed down in November for three months with the momentum that Ujpest had built up, including home and away wins over leaders Videoton in the Magyar Cup, left in cold storage as the season resumed.

Zalaegerszek await in the semi-final of the Magyar Cup but after experiencing back-to-back defeats for the first time in his managerial career McStay is facing a new aspect to his Hungarian adventure.

He said: "There's a big challenge to be faced just now but it's one that I'm prepared for and know how to deal with.

"The break in the season is enormous and it really seems like two different seasons and two teams. We built up some momentum before the break and ideally would have liked to have kept that momentum going.

"There are expectations at he club now and we have to deal with them, there has been a dip since we restarted and key players missing. If they had been out in the first half of the season I think that we would have struggled as well but we'll have two key players back to face Diosgyor.

"This job can seem easy when the going is good but despite the last two league results it has still been a fantastic experience for me.

"When result don't go well you learn about yourself and your players, there are different dynamics to the job. The harder that you work the more rewarding it becomes, I can honestly say that every day I am loving the job.

"Dealing with the media can be interesting, the language is obviously an issue. Generally there is an understanding but things can get lost in translation a little. The emphasis and context doesn't always translate easily."

While other Hungarian clubs spent money during the transfer window hoping to emulate Debrecen's run into the Champions League things were much tighter at Ujpest.

Finances wouldn't stretch to a training trip to Scotland with no major incoming transfers to boost the squad.

As Middlesbrough bought up a job lot of players from Celtic McStay was able to sign teenage Boro striker Gary Martin on loan.

Martin scored in midweek in the 2-0 League Cup win over Haladas and could make his league debut against Diosgyor.

McStay added: "With the injuries that we've had I've had to have a look at younger players and Gary showed up well against Haladas.

"When I was at Celtic I'd be pushing the case for the younger players but now I'm looking at that from the other angle.

"I have to decide if they are mature and ready for first team football. There has been a few players emerge from the squad over the last couple of games but I know my strongest team, when they are available I'm confident that we can get winning again."
Final score Ujpest 4-1Diosgyor (in hungarian)