Mackay thanks Hornets officials

Mackay is in caretaker charge following Aidy Boothroyd's departure

Watford caretaker manager Malky Mackay has praised the club's officials after reaching the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win at Swansea.

Mackay told BBC Three Counties Radio: "The chairman Graham Simpson and chief executive Mark Ashton have been tremendous this week.

"They have been in Wales to support us but have been distant in allowing us to get on with the football side of it.

"They will want me to go and beat Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday."

I've been delighted with the application of the players, the way they have gone about their work, and the way they have represented Watford

Watford caretaker Malky Mackay

"I think that's what everybody at the club would like.

"Graham's a fan of this club and wants this club to do well, and I'm proud he's given me the chance to manage the club at the moment and I will do the best I can," he continued.

A number of former Hornets players have been linked with the vacancy, including current Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler.

It has also reported that Chelsea's reserve-team boss Brendan Rodgers has been targeted by the Championship strugglers as a possible successor to Aidy Boothroyd.

Tuesday's cup victory came on the back of a 3-1 reverse in an identical fixture in the league on Sunday.

Mackay thanked Swansea boss Roberto Martinez for arranging some training facilities for Watford, as bad weather hampered their stay in south Wales.

Mackay added: "The people at Swansea have helped us in terms of washing kit and things like that. It's a strange situation to be in the same place for four days and playing the same side twice in that time.

"Given all that I've been delighted with the application of the players, the way they have gone about their work, and the way they have represented Watford."