INTERVIEW
MACAULAY LAnGSTAFF
The Notts County striker on comparisons with Haaland, Peaky Blinders and being told to ‘F**k off” by Rob McElhenney…
Interview Ed McCambridge
LOWER LEAGUE STRIKER OF THE YEAR
Last term you hit 42 league goals for County, smashing a National League record. What was your secret?
The big reason is the manager, Luke Williams. I was more of a wide player before I joined Notts County in 2022. I’d scored loads of goals at Gateshead in the National League North, but when I came here, the gaffer said he wanted me to be more of a No.9 and gave me tips on how to improve my goalscoring. My team-mates were also incredible last season, giving me brilliant service.
You were nicknamed ‘the non-league Erling Haaland’. What did you make of those comparisons?
I quite liked it. I was being compared to one of the very best strikers in Europe. It gave me added motivation to keep scoring and trying to stay ahead of him in the scoring chart [Haaland finished with 36 Premier League goals]. Some people asked if it put extra pressure on me, but no. In terms of playing style, we’re not that similar. He’s tall, powerful and rapid. He can score towering headers, acrobatic goals and bully defenders hat’s not really my game, but I’d say we both share that natural instinct for scoring goals.