Malky Mackay thanks Wigan Athletic fans for welcome

Malky Mackay was sacked as Cardiff manager last December

Wigan manager Malky Mackay says he is "very proud" of the welcome he has received at the Championship club.

The Scot was appointed last week, despite a Football Association investigation into allegations he sent homophobic, sexist and racist text messages while at Cardiff.

Mackay steered struggling Wigan to a 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough in his first game in charge.

"There are hairs on the back of my neck from the reception I got," he said.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan's decision to give Mackay the job caused widespread controversy, with former Brentford manager Leroy Rosenior claiming it made a mockery of the FA inquiry.

Whelan himself was forced to apologise for comments he made about Jewish and Chinese people, given to the media in an attempt to defend his appointment of Mackay.

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan, who sacked Mackay in December, branded Whelan "a racist".

Cardiff fans show their support for manager Malky Mackay after he was sacked by Cardiff City

After watching second-bottom Wigan earn a valuable point against Boro, Mackay declined to answer non-football questions.

"I'll talk to you about the game because you've had your pound of flesh from me on everything else," he said.

But the 42-year-old did admit to being touched at how he has been accepted at Wigan.

"You need a team effort. We had that from the steward at the door who welcomed me in, to the fans who welcomed me at 3pm, to the back office staff," Mackay said.

"Everyone was so welcoming and I was very proud of that on a day my father and son were here to watch."