Ballantyne hits back at claims by former coach

Airdrie chairman Jim Ballantyne has hit back at coach Willie Aitchison who left the club after just two weeks following Saturday’s 2-1 win at Albion Rovers.

Former Hearts coach and East Fife boss Aitchison had described Ballantyne as handling the situation in a worse manner than former Tynecastle owner Vladimir Romanov – who got rid of several head coaches during his time in charge.

Ballantyne, however, was keen to give his side of things and he did not hold back as he said: “For those who may have read the views of a disgruntled ex-coach in a newspaper today, it is important that I put the record straight.

“The Board was contacted very late on Friday regarding a new coach to be registered for the game on Saturday.

“There was insufficient time for the club to properly vet the coach and then register him with the football authorities, as required by SFA rules.

“The Board has a duty of care regarding who publicly represents the club, and as such, Aitchison was advised that the coach in question could not be involved in the game the next day.

“Despite that specific instruction, he chose to involve not one, but two unregistered coaches.

“This was disrespectful to everybody at the club and could not be tolerated.

“Trying to misrepresent the position to a newspaper does him no favours and does not change the facts.”

Ballantyne added: “The club has come a long way in a very short period of time due to the hard work put in by everyone including fans, sponsors, players and staff and I will not allow that good work to be undermined by any individual.”

The Diamonds are back on the hunt for a new manager with former Rangers favourite Nacho Novo believed to still be in the running.

Airdrie currently sit fifth in Scottish League 1 and are five points adrift of league leaders Ayr United.