Jamie McDonnell: Mansfield midfielder on ‘throwback’ football

Midfielder Jamie McDonnell is unapologetically old school.

His tough-tackling, gut-busting and gritty work has made the Nottingham Forest youngster an instant hit on loan at League One side Mansfield Town this season.

It is an approach that also earned the 21-year-old his first senior cap for Northern Ireland against Germany in September.

“My family would always say, ‘Just get stuck in’. It comes from that,” he explained to BBC East Midlands Today.

In a week in which ‘football dinosaurs’ and their place among ‘football fashionistas’ have been debated, McDonnell’s approach is in vogue.

Stags boss Nigel Clough certainly sees the Forest loanee as a rare find among the rich pickings from Premier League academies.

“He’s a throwback, in terms of he likes tackling and heading,” he said.

“Academies these days don't produce many players like that. They produce wonderfully technical and gifted players at times, but it’s almost a forgotten art that you still have to get the ball back and still have to tackle and head it.

“I just love his whole attitude towards playing football.”

As Clough’s description of McDonnell was relayed to the player, a broad smile spread across his face as he chuckled in appreciation when asked if he took it as a compliment.

“That’s the sort of game I love,” McDonnell said. “Call me a throwback, I don’t mind it.”