MAN ON A MISSION
Play-off hopes for new Wishaw gaffer Kieran
Wishaw Juniors’ new gaffer is the man to help the club steal a late march on a playoff place.
That is the view of club chairman Bill Kilgour, who is hoping the switch, after the surprise sacking of Derek Holmes, pays off as the club try to seal fourth place under the leadership of new manager Kieran McGuinness.
“We are delighted to get Kieran in so quickly.” Kilgour said. “He has a wealth of experience in juniors and hopefully that will drive us forward towards the play-off spot.
“We had to act fast, but we think Kieran will take us to the next level.”
McGuinness joins from local rivals Shotts Bon Accord, who themselves appointed John McKeown to replace the departed manager.
Wishaw have won two games and lost one since sacking Holmes and are now sat in sixth place on 38 points.
They need a faultless end to the season in their last five games to catch Neilston Juniors - who sit on 52 points - who they beat 1-0 on Saturday at the Beltane thanks to a Vinnie McGuire strike.
McGuinness was in attendance at Saturday’s game, with Paul Burns still caretaker at that point, before overseeing Monday night’s crucial home tie against Glasgow Perthshire.
Wishaw lost that 1- 0 after the Glasgow side scored the winner in the second half at the Beltane.
Wishaw Juniors club secretary Robert Watson said: “The club are delighted to announce Kieran McGuiness has been appointed as team manager.
“He will be assisted by Paul Finnigan and goalkeeping coach Barry Fraser.
“We wish to thank the other applicants who submitted applications in connection with the post of manager, all of which were of a very high standard. We very much appreciate the interest shown in our club.
“The club would like to thank Rab Sneddon Snr, Paul Burns and Kevin Grant for their hard work in looking after the team for the last few games and for keeping us in the chase for the play-off place.”
Tonight Wishaw travel to Glasgow to face Pollok in round three of the Central League Cup.