Peterhead manager Jim McInally has laughed off speculation linking him with a return to Dundee United.
McInally, the longest serving manager in the SPFL having been at Balmoor since October 2011, was touted as a possible replacement for sacked United manager Ray McKinnon on BBC Radio Scotland earlier this week.
The 53-year-old made 395 appearances for the Tannadice club as a player and was part of Jim McLean’s team that reached the 1987 UEFA Cup final.
McInally was a serious contender for the job when Mixu Paatelainen was sacked in May 2016 following relegation from the Scottish Premiership.
At that time, McInally had just guided the Blue Toon to the Petrofac Training Cup final against Rangers and the Championship play-offs.
But the Tangerines opted for then Raith Rovers manager McKinnon, while McInally went onto endure a disappointing 2016-17 season at Balmoor which ended with relegation to League Two.
He said: “I mean this sincerely, I feel I am lucky to be Peterhead manager after getting relegated last season.
“My mission is only to try to get us back up again.
“I wouldn’t think I have any chance of ever getting that job.
“But even if they said I did, I wouldn’t take it because Peterhead is where my heart is.
“I just want to make something right that went wrong last year.”
Peterhead have netted 13 times in their previous two matches after following up a resounding 9-0 Scottish Cup win against amateurs Colville Park with a 4-1 success at Clyde last week.
Annan Athletic are the visitors to Balmoor this afternoon and McInally hopes his side can continue their goalscoring streak.
He said: “The goals have been spread about the team the whole season.
“We are not just relying on one or two players.
“Our second half performance against Clyde was excellent.
“We played at a really high tempo and we could have scored even more goals.
“Hopefully we can keep that going this weekend.
“We have played Annan twice this year so we know plenty about them.
“My wee concern for this weekend is the weather.
“The forecast is for 40 miles per hour winds. That is frustrating.
“Sometimes when we play at home, it can be condensed into a 45-minute game with the wind dictating the territory of the game.
“We may have to take that into consideration when we decide how to set-up but our confidence is high at the minute so we’re looking forward to the match.”
Midfielder Marc Lawrence (back) is Peterhead’s only absentee this weekend.
