IN THE FRAME

Aitken and Murray admit interest in manager’s job

Airdrieonians have revealed the club are impressed with the calibre of applicants for their managerial vacancy – with Stevie Aitken and Ian Murray both confirming their interest in the role to the Advertiser.

The application window for the position, vacated by Stephen Findlay, closed on Monday evening.

Former Dumbarton boss Aitken was axed by the Sons last week, while Murray ( below), who preceded him at the Rock, is currently assistant manager at Norweigan side Asker.

Aitken enjoyed a successful spell with Dumbarton after joining the club from Stranraer. Twice he reached the Championship playoffs, and he kept the parttime club in the Championship two seasons in a row. And despite relegation last season, he took them to the Irn Bru cup final where they were narrowly defeated by Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Aitken said: “This is the first time in eight years I’ve been unemployed in football. “I’ve got a few things still to sort out with Dumbarton but I’m now an unemployed football manager looking for an avenue to get back in. “If Airdrie wanted to pick up the phone and speak to me I’d be interested in what they’ve got to say. “Airdrie are a club with a lot of tradition and potential to move forward, so this vacancy will interest a lot of people. “The club have a lot of history and a great stadium so whoever gets the job will have an exciting challenge on their hands. “When you see teams like Alloa Athletic in the Championship there’s no reason why a club like Airdrie can’t get there too.”

Murray hasn’t had a firstteam job in Scotland since leaving St Mirren in 2015.

He joined Asker as Kevin Nicol’s assistant nearly two years ago, and despite insisting he is happy in his current role, he said: “If Airdrie wanted to talk to me then I’d have a decision to make.

“There will be a lot of candidates for the role and me being in Norway might make things a bit diffcult; but a chat is always welcome.

“I’ve not given it a great deal of thought as we have two games to go of our season here in Norway.

“A lot of jobs become available in Scotland which is the way it goes. That’s where I’m from and Scottish football is what I know.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in Norway so far but in football you can never say never.

“I’m happy here but I know how football works and if Kevin and I don’t do well then we’ll be out the door ourselves.

“I’ve learnt so much here and I’d like to put it into practice.”

Out of work Former Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken