Turner aims to make name with Bairns
Livingston have imposed a deadline of today as Kenny Miller continues to weigh up whether to become the club’s player-manager.
The former Rangers striker is believed to have other, more lucrative options to continue solely as a player. However, the 38-year-old remains very interested in taking his first step on the management ladder at such a high level.
Contractual complications are holding up Livingston’s wish to unveil Miller although the club are confident this will happen either today or Monday. But they want an answer either way by later this afternoon.
The newly promoted Premiership club had originally planned to confirm the appointment earlier this week but Miller is taking his time considering his options.
One reason for the hold-up is Miller having to scrutinise two contracts. Livingston have resolved to keep the player and manager contracts separate. So Miller will need to sign both if he accepts the challenge of leading Livingston in the Scottish top flight. A further obstacle is Miller’s agent, Dave Baldwin, currently being away in Colombia on business.
“The club have made a
0 Kenny Miller is still weighing up options with Hibernian, Aberdeen and St Mirren believed to be interested in signing him as a player. high level. Clubs like Derby County, Rangers and Celtic, if they get into trouble they can just go and chuck some money at it.
“We have been careful not to paint a picture all is going to be wonderful,” he continued. “We are very hopeful things will go well but equally he has to get the warts-and-all side of things so he understands the genuine challenge we have.”
Ward is conscious time is marching on. The first team squad has been back in training since last week. Livingston’s first competitive game is just over a fortnight away, against Airdrieonians in the Betfred Cup. They are due to face Queen of the South in a friendly a week today. Former Hibernian Ladies head coach Willie Kirk has been appointed assistant manager of the new Manchester United women’s team. He will be working with Casey Stoney, who won 130 caps for England as a defender.
Kirk said he had taken a “leap of faith” when he left his job as head coach of FA WSL side Bristol Rovers at the end May, but it has proved to be an informed one. He hinted at the time he was prepared to take a No 2 role, and was aware of United’s interest.
“It’s the only club I would have done it at – and part of that is because it’s a brand new project,” the 40-yearold said. “It’s a unique opportunity to go to a club as big as this and start from scratch. That’s not going to happen anywhere else. Essentially we’ve got 26 or 27 strangers coming together and within six weeks we need to start getting results.”
The Man Utd women’s club was only established on 18 May following a successful application to join the newly-formed FA Women’s Championship, which will be the second tier of professional women’s football in England. New signing Dan Turner reckons Falkirk boss Paul Hartley can help him make a big name for himself in Scottish football.
The 20-year-old has penned an initial sixmonth loan deal from English League Two side Port Vale and is currently with the Bairns at their pre-season camp in Wales.
The striker, who scored three times in 23 games last season, said: “I’m delighted it’s over the line. Hopefully now I can get a few games and get a few goals. I can’t wait to get started.
“The manager has been a big influence in my move.
“He’s been talking to me and telling me what’s going to happen in the season, and it looks really positive.”