Brownlie returns to dugout at 67 after 16-year absence
● Veteran boss says age is no barrier as he takes the reins at struggling Berwick in bid to preserve club’s SPFL status
John Brownlie says his “football instincts” have kicked in after returning to management at Berwick Rangers at the age of 67 following a 16-year absence from the dugout.
The former Hibs favourite, who also briefly played for the Wee Gers at the end of his career, has been asked to try to preserve the club’s proud SPFL status. The League 2 basement club round off a bitterly disappointing season away to Elgin City tomorrow before facing either Cove Rangers or East Kilbride in a two-legged play-off for a place in the fourth tier.
Brownlie has not managed since leaving Arbroath in 2003 but admits he is relishing the challenge of trying to lead Berwick to safety.
Brownlie, who takes over from Johnny Harvey and will be assisted by Ian Little, said: “I was just keen to help out people that I know, that was my main concern because they’re obviously not in a very good position.
“I suppose the feeling will still be the same in the dugout come Saturday.
“It’s not a decision I took on lightly because there are a lot of things to weigh up. I’ve been out of the game for a wee while too but my football instincts kicked in.
“I’ll be in charge for these three games and we’ll just take it from there, it could develop from there but we’ll see what happens.
“Roy Hodgson is still going strong in the English Premier League with Crystal Palace at 71 and I’m only 67 so I’m a bairn compared to him. It’s got nothing to do with age, it’s helping folk at a bad time.”
Brownlie has recently been working as a talent-spotter for Carlisle United manager Steven Pressley.
He added: “I’ve been going to a lot of games. I enjoy watching football. I’ve been doing a bit of scouting for Carlisle and Steven Pressley.
“I’ve been taking in the Championship and League 1 games in Scotland.
“It’s just being involved in the game, I had been involved for a long time and you never get fed up, you always want to go to a game on Saturday.”