BINOS BOSS IT
Rutkiewicz given the hot seat
Stirling Albion have named Kevin Rutkiewicz as their new manager following the departure of Dave Mackay at the end of September.
The 38-year-old former Aberdeen and St Johnstone defender moves to Forthbank from League 2 rivals Annan Athletic, where he had been assistant to Peter Murphy since the summer of 2017.
The decision to appoint Rutkiewicz was certainly a surprise with many fans expecting a more experienced name after the club said they wanted someone “with relevamt management experience and an extensive knowledge of Scottish football”.
Interviews were held on Sunday and Rutkiewicz was announced as the successful candidate from a four-man shortlist on Monday evening.
He takes over a struggling Stirling side who have lost four games on the trot and crashed out of the Scottish Cup on Saturday, going down 2-1 to Queen’s Park at Forthbank.
Rutkiewicz’s first game in charge could hardly be a tougher one – the Binos welcome Ladbrokes League 2 leaders Edinburgh City to Forthbank this weekend, with James McDonaugh’s men on a remarkable run of 11 consecutive victories in all competitions.
Albion could again be without up to half a dozen players through injury against a City side who won 3-1 when the sides met at Ainslie Park in August.
Stirling’s new boss is excited by the challenge and admits he can’t wait to get started in his new role, which began when he met the players at training last night (Tuesday).
Rutkiewicz, who is close to confirming his assistant, said: “I’m thrilled to be the new manager of Stirling Albion and the fans can be assured they won’t find anyone more proud to take up the position.
“Annan have been magnificent in the way they have handled things and I feel I have been on a pathway since I was a scout with St Mirren and did my coaching licences.
“I have done my apprenticeship – but there’s no doubt I’m going to learn an awful lot in the next few months. There’s a few things I’ve noticed about the team and I believe the squad can do better than they have been.
“We have to change the trajectory to a positive one but the players will know that.
“The first target is to win on Saturday but we all need to be pulling in the same direction – I need to work with the players and they need to work with me.
“It’s going to be difficult but it’s early in the season and what we need is a bit of calm and composure.”
He added: “Every supporter would have their own ideal candidate and some fans might have wanted other things but I want to help reconnect the fans with the club and I’ll be honest and approachable.
“It will be about the results at the end of the day – there is no magic formula.
“I’m prepared to do the hard work and if the players do the same I believe we can be successful. Everyone will be given an equal chance – there’s not a decision been made on anyone.”
Stirling Albion chairman Stuart Brown said: “Kevin impressed the interviewing panel with his passion, energy and vision.
“Crucially, he also ticked our key criteria of management experience and knowledge of the Scottish game, particularly in and around the lower SPFL set-up.
“Kevin has played a key role in his most recent successful position as assistant at Annan and we would wish to extend our sincere thanks to everyone at Annan for the efficient manner they have conducted communications to allow Kevin to leave his post with immediate effect to get started at Forthbank,
“The trust board were fully engaged in the recruitment process and have given their full backing to Kevin’s appointment.” not taking anything away from us because we were the better team and Deveronvale admitted that we deserved the win.”
The long haul to Banff didn’t deter a Stirling University squad who are well used to travelling.
Indeed, most of the team who played on Saturday were playing in Birmingham in midweek and this week they’re on the road again to Loughborough.
Now the squad know they are only one game away from potentially drawing a top Premiership team – and their boss is sure that will motivate his players.
“All the pressure will be on Elgin and we can go into the match with nothing to lose,” said Geddes.
“It’s an exciting time for us and reaching the third round for the first time is great for the university and the team.
“If they have an off day, you never know what might happen.”