Fans hope Dave will give team a boost
Stirling Albion have appointed former St Johnstone captain Dave Mackay as their new manager.
The 35 year-old replaces Stuart McLaren, who parted company with the club in the wake of the 4-0 home defeat to Elgin City on September 24.
He becomes Albion’s fifth manager in just over six years after Allan Moore left in the summer of 2010 for Morton having spent spent eight years at Forthbank with John O’Neill, Jocky Scott, Greig McDonald and McLaren coming and going in that period.
James Fowler, who was Queen of the South boss until April of this year, was offered the job in early October but instead opted to move to St Mirren as No 2 to Jack Ross.
Martyn Corrigan had been in caretaker charge since McLaren moved on and steered the side to a four-match unbeaten run, only to step down following Saturday’s 3-0 loss to leaders Forfar Athletic.
Mackay played for Dundee, Oxford United and Livingston - scoring for the Lions in a memorable 4-3 win over the Binos in November 2007 - before joining Saints in 2009. He became a hugely popular and respected figure at the Perth club, and skippered the side to Scottish Cup glory in May 2014, but was forced to retire in September of this year due to a problematic hip injury.
At the time, Saints boss Tommy Wright told their club website: “I could go on all day about what Dave has done for Saints but that is well documented in the club history books.
“The simple truth is that I’m losing a great player and my captain.”
After his retiral, Mackay, who has coaching badges, was given the chance to work with Saints youngsters by Wright.
Mackay will take charge for the first time tomorrow when Stirling face Elgin at Borough Briggs, with his first home match being the visit of Arbroath on November 19, followed by the Scottish Cup third-round meeting with Wick Academy at Forthbank.
His first managerial post could be a baptism of fire with Albion sitting eighth in the League 2 table, and only three points above bottom club Edinburgh City, when the pre-season expectation was of a promotion push.
Stirling face a tough game against Elgin this weekend, having lost three times to Jim Weir’s men at Borough Briggs last season, but the fans will hope Mackay’s arrival can give the team a boost.