BROGAN HAS THE BACKING

New Rovers boss puts coaching licence question behind him

New Albion Rovers boss John Brogan hopes to put a ‘hectic’ start to his tenure behind him - after claims about his coaching licence blighted his first week in the job.

The 64-year-old was last week unveiled as the new man taking charge at Cliftonhill - making his return to the senior game after a 22-year absence.

Reports emerged last week that Brogan, who last managed at Wishaw Juniors in February, did not have the required licence to take up the job - and that the Coatbridge side faced SFA sanctions.

Rovers chairman Ronnie Boyd stated that although the new gaffer doesn’t have an “up-to-date” qualification that they had contacted the SFA ahead of announcing the appointment.

He revealed that an agreement had been reached with Scottish football bosses that the new gaffer would undertake the necessary qualifications.

The Cliftonhill supremo reiterated that there would be no issue with Brogan taking up the role.

“We looked at John’s qualifications as part of the process” said Boyd.

“He will now be working to upgrade his licence over the coming months.

“As far as we were concerned, the issue had been resolved as of Tuesday morning, before the appointment.

“Both sides were content with what had been put in place.

“For us, it’s making a mountain out of a molehill. It’s not even really a molehill.”

Brogan, who started his playing career at Cliftonhill and managed SPFL sides Stirling and Arbroath, is keen to put the questions about his role behind him and focus on the upcoming League One campaign.

“It was hectic, but what was in those reports was all cleared up before I was appointed,” he told the Advertiser.

“I told Ronnie before I applied for the job my situation, but people like to do a bit of dirtdigging.

“It’s fine now though, we move on.”

New boss John Brogan