McCOLL SACKED
Facebook statement reveals manager’s fate
Controversial Cambuslang Rangers manager Paul McColl has been sacked.
He had been suspended by the Scottish Junior Football Association last month. Cambuslang Rangers confirmed the sacking with a statement on the club’s Facebook page at 11pm on Monday night.
It read: “After much deliberation, Cambuslang Rangers FC have taken the decision to relieve manager, Paul McColl, of his duties with immediate effect.
“During Paul’s time at Cambuslang Rangers, the club have enjoyed back-toback promotions taking us from the District 2nd Division to the Super Premier. “It’s no secret that, of late, the club have faced several difficulties.
“It is felt that this change will be the catalyst to a new era of success.The club would like to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks to Mr McColl for everything he has done during his time here. We wish him every success in the future.” Mr McColl declined to comment.
Football chiefs have ordered Cambuslang Rangers to stump up for a police presence at their games – or the fixtures will be abandoned.
The SFA ruling came into effect in the same week club manager Paul McColl was sacked.
He had been on a leave of absence from the team after an alleged confrontation at last month’s match against Glenafton FC when the referee claimed he was assaulted.
The game descended into chaos when the official gave a penalty to Glenafton and sent off two Cambuslang players.
At a hearing at Hampden last week, the club was told it must have a police presence at all upcoming fixtures, whether home or away, with the Lang paying for it.
If there is not a police presence, the SFA has the right to stop the match being played.
Match officials at the club’s fixture are to be escorted to and from the car park, and also onto and off the pitch.
A referee’s observer from the Scottish Junior FA will also be in attendance at all games.
And the club has been refused a permit to arrange friendly games.
Last Saturday’s fixture against Rossvale in the West of Scotland Cup, which Cambuslang won on penalties despite having two players sent off once again, was the first game under the new arrangements.
Cambuslang chairman John Niven said: “We’re happy to co-operate with the football authorities and the police.
“Our aim is to restore the good name of the club and we take full responsibility for what happened last month.”
Mr McColl had been due to appear at Hampden last week as well, to discuss his current probationary suspension, but he was unable to attend.
The club was also deducted three points after being unable to fulfil their fixture against Auchenleck Talbot at the end of December, a move that leaves the team rock bottom of the Premiership.
The Somervell Park side was also given a £200 fine over the postponement, which the club stated was due to a number of players going down with the flu.
A Scottish FA spokesman said: “The safety and security of match officials is of paramount importance to the Scottish FA.
“Following an incident involving the match official at a recent Cambuslang Rangers’ match and subsequent discussions with the Scottish Junior FA and other partners, increased security measures for match officials will be in place at the club’s matches for the immediate future, which include the presence of a referee observer.”