The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
This is the right place for me – McKinnon
New Falkirk manager Ray McKinnon admits leaving Morton for the Bairns after just three months at Cappielow is not a decision he took lightly.
The ex-Dundee United and Raith Rovers boss was announced as Paul Hartley’s successor at Falkirk on Friday despite only being appointed to the Ton dugout in May – a reign that lasted eight competitive games.
McKinnon watched his new team fall to a fourth successive Championship loss at Ross County from the stands on Saturday as interim manager Gordon Young took charge. The 48-year-old is confident he can spark an upturn in Falkirk’s fortunes. He said: “It was a bit of a whirlwind and everything happened so quickly on Friday. Sometimes you have to make decisions. I had to make a very tough one.
“I made that decision to become the Falkirk manager and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead. I’m very thankful to (Morton chairman) Crawford Rae and everybody at Morton, but sometimes in life you need to make big decisions and I made one on Friday.
“I had a really good meeting with (Falkirk chair) Margaret Lang. She told me her vision for the club – I think it’s fantastic. They’re a very ambitious club and that suits me, and after speaking to her I was convinced that this was the right place for me to come and work.”
McKinnon, who departed a Ton team who were sitting second top of the league before the weekend, added: “When I went into Morton we only had four signed players. Now it’s a very strong squad with very good football players. We had a great start to the season and we were sitting top of the league so I’m very proud of that and anyone who goes in there will inherit a very strong squad.”