McKeown stays at Cumnock
Cambuslang Rangers are openly advertising for a new manager after their top target opted to stay put.
The Reformer understands that the Somervell Park club, who sacked John Doyle last Monday night after a year in charge, approached Cumnock with a view to speaking to their manager John McKeown.
However, a source said that McKeown was flattered to be considered for the position, but having only taken over at the Ayrshire side last autumn, still has a job to finish there.
The former Wishaw boss has a tremendous reputation after becoming their manager in 2011, and then guiding the club to their first promotion in 38 years in 2014.
Having worked on a shoestring to turn the side around, Super League Cumnock turned to him last October to revive their fortunes.
Rutherglen man John, who retired as a player at 27 due to injury, debuted for Ayr United in 2000. He also played for Ipswich Town as a teenager and turned out for Dumbarton, Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir during his playing career.
Now living in Cambuslang, he had his first opportunity as a boss as player-coach of Wishaw Juniors in 2011 and was appointed manager of the club in October that year.
The Lang had hoped that the reduced journey time might appeal to their target, who is assisted at Cumnock by former Lang coach Paul McColl.
Speaking after his appointment last year, John said: “Cumnock Juniors are a massive club with a really passionate support.
“I know that from my time as a player there and their reputation within the game speaks for itself.”
Now, the Lang are looking further afield, by advertising their managerial vacancy.
A club statement said: “Cambuslang Rangers Football Club invites applications for the vacant post of manager. Interested parties should submit CV along with a covering letter, by email to cambuslangrangers@ gmail.com.”
The closing date for applications is Friday, May 15, with interviews being held on Saturday, May 23.
The Lang axed John Doyle last week after failing to win them promotion back to the Central League first division at the first time of asking, following their relegation at the end of the campaign two years ago.
Last week, former Lang boss Alan Wardlaw said he could see the benefits in going for both an experienced manager, as well as an enthusiastic untried boss.
The Lang had high hopes with Doyle and former comanager Paddy Flannery, who had been untried as managers in their own right, but a horrendous injury list didn’t help them in their season at Somervell.