Experience and youth are Lang’s choices
Former boss Wardlaw can see merits of both
Former Cambuslang Rangers manager Alan Wardlaw says there’s merit to be had in clubs going for both inexperienced and proven junior football managers.
Speaking to the Reformer the day after the club ended the managerial reign of John Doyle, Wardlaw admitted he had some sympathy with the man who was appointed as Somervell boss last summer.
Alan is quitting junior football after his final game as manager of East Kilbride Thistle tonight (Wednesday).
With the Lang currently deliberating on a successor to Doyle, Wardlaw can understand the thinking process the club’s committee will currently be going through.
And Alan knows what it takes to succeed in the Central League Second Division, having won it as manager just two years ago with the Lang.
Wardlaw spent six- anda- half years as the Lang’s manager.
He said: “I can see positives on both sides, by going for an experienced manager, or someone who’s young and keen to get in.
“When you go for an experienced manager, you’re getting someone who will know what’s required to get a winning team together in the league.
“They’ll know what kind of players you need, straight away, and that’s what comes with having been in the league for a while.
“And then on the other hand, you’ve got the new, fresh, younger managers who have new ideas and new approaches, and they will build up a different kind of relationship with their players.
“These are the coaches who’ve often worked with under-21s and the likes, and are used to the younger guys.
“Look at the league this year - Rossvale have won it by a country mile, and they had a relatively young group of players, with a sprinkling of very experienced players, like Robbie Winters.
“There are definitely pros and cons with both approaches.
“There’s no certainty that an experienced manager will deliver, and you never know how it will work out with a younger guy.
“Look at ourselves at East Kilbride - when I first came here, just after I left Cambuslang, the club hadn’t won a game in a couple of seasons.
“We changed things around, brought in some experienced players, and this season we’ve got 24 points on the board.
“Of course we’d have liked more, but that’s a pretty quick turnaround in the space of less than two years.”
Last month Alan announced he will leave the Showpark after the Jags’ final game of the season, to concentrate on his day job at Transport Scotland, and his work as a youth scout for Rangers.
Alan admits that, having grown up on the successes of the club in the 1970s, he’s looking forward to returning to Somervell Park next season as a paying spectator.
He said: “It’s going to be very strange - this summer will be the first time in something like 36 years when I haven’t been involved in a pre-season, as either a player or manager.
“I’m hoping to be able to go back to Somervell Park on a Saturday, just as a spectator, and watching the side I supported as a boy.
“I had my own situation when I left the club, but that’s all in the past and I don’t want to bring it all up now. It’s happened, and I’ve moved on.
“I have absolutely no ill will towards Cambuslang Rangers, and I really do wish them every success in the future.
“It’s just very sad to see a club of that stature in the present situation it’s in.
“I’m pretty certain, with the right appointment, they will kick on.”
He added: “I’m very sorry for John Doyle and, if he had been given another season, I’m sure he would have learned from this season, and strengthened the squad for the year ahead. It’s a shame for him.”