Roar go back to the future with McKay

A-League champions Brisbane Roar are planning for Matt McKay to play out his record-breaking career as their leader after returning the captaincy duties to the Socceroos midfielder.

McKay was Monday unveiled as the replacement for departed skipper Matt Smith and also given a two-year contract extension which ties him to the club until mid-2017.

The 31-year-old starts his second stint as Roar skipper on Saturday night when he makes a record 163rd appearance, eclipsing fellow foundation player Massimo Murdocca, for Brisbane against Central Coast at Gosford.

McKay led the Roar to their inaugural A-League title in 2010-11, inspiring a dramatic two-goal comeback against the Mariners in a memorable home grand final, before heading overseas to play in Scotland, South Korea and China.

The local product returned home last year and helped the Roar to their third championship in four seasons before cementing himself as a first-choice member in Australia’s World Cup outfit.

Brisbane general manager Sean Dobson said McKay was a natural choice to be reactivated as skipper and the club was keen to see him play out his days with them in the A-League.

“Matt has played for Australia at a World Cup, he has played club football in Europe and Asia, and he is about to play a record number of times in the A-League so he is worthy of becoming our club captain for the second time,” Dobson said.

The super-fit McKay, the Roar’s marquee domestic player, denied his latest extended deal would be his last in the game and was keen to play on with the Roar well into his mid-30s.

The 50-capped international never envisioned he would wear the captain’s arm-band again but was delighted to have the role, and stressed little would change in his play.

“I saw myself as a leader even when I wasn’t,” he said. “I’ll keep that same role I have always had.

“Having been captain of the club before I thoroughly enjoyed that and it was a successful season.

“I had one season at the helm and we won a title so I want success at the club and I think we’ve got the players to do that.”

McKay was preferred as Smith’s successor ahead of German maestro Thomas Broich and veteran defender Jade North.

Despite the Roar struggling in seventh after losing six of their first seven games of the season, costing coach Mike Mulvey his job, McKay is confident his side can still make the play-offs and make a serious defence of their title.

Former Western Sydney fullback Jerome Polenz and ex-Roar defender Luke De Vere are in the mix to replace Smith in central defence after he left this month to play for Bangkok Glass in Thailand.