Laurie ticks all boxes for top job

Raith boss John McGlynn believes Laurie Ellis is perfectly placed to move up into the Dundee United manager’s hot-seat – just like a certain Peter Houston did, writes Neil Robertson.

The current Tangerines assistant manager has been put in interim charge of the team for tomorrow’s Championship game with Ayr United following last weekend’s parting of the ways with Csaba Laszlo.

Ellis is someone McGlynn knows very well from his first spell with Raith when the defender was an integral component of the team.

It was a successful time for the Kirkcaldy club which came mighty close to winning promotion to the top tier and also contested a Scottish Cup semi-final with Dundee United.

Ellis and his team-mates lost that game 2-0 at Hampden with Houston’s team going on to lift the trophy in the final against Ross County.

Now, McGlynn reckons the former Rovers stalwart could be well positioned to become Laszlo’s permanent successor.

McGlynn said: “Laurie was here a couple of weeks ago for the David McGurn testimonial game and we caught up.

“I texted him at the beginning of the season as you do and wished him all the best. I wish him all the best for Saturday.

“It was very similar many years ago when Craig Levein left and Peter Houston took charge. Peter ended up getting the job and won the Scottish Cup.

“Peter was in possession of the job and made it his and Laurie is in the same situation.

“He had a big history with the Rovers and I brought him back here. When I left, I handed the reins over to Grant Murray and Laurie and they did really well.

“He got the chance to work with Ray McKinnon and he obviously took him to Dundee United.”

When McKinnon was sacked by the Tangerines, Ellis took over as interim boss and won the next two matches before then Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson appointed Laszlo.

And McGlynn admits if Ellis can repeat that success this time round it will give him a great chance of landing the job on a permanent basis.

The Stark’s Park manager added: “The last time he was in charge he got a good response from the players and I’m sure he will get another one again.

“I’m sure the board up there will look at that, if he was winning football matches, the way he was last time then he would have been in with a chance of getting that job.

“He is a very conscientious guy and he will tick all the boxes. He’ll do it properly and have standards.

“Laurie was a very good professional and made sure individually he was ready to do the right things in games but also he encouraged and communicated with other players and passed on his experience.

“He has now been up there two and a bit years so he is obviously very settled within that football club and I would be very surprised if he does not get a response from the Dundee United players.”

Picture: SNS Group. Laurie Ellis (left) is congratulated on his testimonial by Raith boss John McGlynn.