Fleetwood No 2 role for ex-Par

Steven Whittaker insists a friendship stretching back 20 years – that endured fierce Old Firm battles – can help him and Scott Brown succeed in management at Fleetwood Town.

Former Dunfermline player Whittaker was announced as Brown’s No 2 after the former Celtic skipper was named as boss of the League One side.

The duo came through the ranks together at Hibernian and won the League Cup in 2007 before Brown departed to join Celtic and Whittaker signed for Rangers.

Their off-field bond overcame the on-field rivalry in Glasgow and Whittaker admits they were always destined to come together again in the dugout.

He said: “We came through the youth set-up together (at Hibs) and that was it. We were best of mates in what was a really good group back then in the youth team, and we both still keep in touch with a lot of those boys as well.

“In the same summer, Scott signed for Celtic and I signed for Rangers.

“You saw both Scott and me when we crossed the white line with one thing on our minds, you just have to go and try to win for the club you are playing for, and we both respected that – it was business if you like.

“Afterward, you would say a quick well done but would be back on the phone or out for a couple of beers after the game or whatever.”

Elsewhere in Fife, relegated Cowdenbeath have urged supporters to get involved in sparking new life into the club.

The Blue Brazil slipped out of the senior leagues for the first time in 117 years when they crashed to a 4-0 aggregate play-off defeat to Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday.

The Central Park outfit will now drop into the Lowland League and face an uncertain future as they follow East Stirlingshire, Berwick Rangers and Brechin City out of the SPFL.

But the club’s powerbrokers are determined to use the bitter blow as the driving force for a fresh start, with a message to fans reading: “Self-pity won’t do us much good, so we begin anew. Changes and challenges lie ahead but with your ongoing help and commitment we will focus on ‘bouncebackability and the Blue Brazil’.

“We of course now immediately have to take a bit of stock and deal with a number of key matters.

“But, as regards the bigger picture, we have already had meetings with a number of fans and other parties in recent weeks regarding being involved in playing a part and bringing fresh ideas and impetus to the club. That process is continuing.”