ARTHURLIE have named Chris Mackie as the club’s interim manager after Stevie Kerrigan sensationally resigned on Sunday.

Kerrigan took over at Dunterlie Park in February with Mackie joining in a dual role as a player and assistant manager. But after an inconsistent run of results this season, a host of injuries and the team racking up a number of suspensions with a poor disciplinary record, Barrhead Sport understands Kerrigan became disillusioned and felt he could no longer continue as manager.

Kerrigan phoned Arthurlie president David Blakey on Sunday to tell him he was resigning and to recommend his former assistant Mackie for the Dunterlie hotseat.

Mackie pitched his plans for the club should he be given the role to the Arthurlie committee on Sunday and they were impressed enough to give him the job. Although the club have said the appointment is on an interim basis, Barrhead Sport understands the job is Mackie’s to lose and the committee want to keep him on for this season at least.

There is a desire for continuity, with Lie now on their fifth manager in just over two years. The committee will not be interviewing other candidates unless results under the new boss force their hand.

Mackie has appointed former Raith Rovers academy director Jimmy Lindsay to be his assistant. Lie striker John Gemmell will take up a player-coach role and Willie McCulloch will continue as goalkeeping coach.

The club’s new management team met on Sunday and Monday night to discuss their plans to take the Dunterlie Park side forward. Mackie admits he didn’t expect to have an opportunity at management so early in his career but says it was a chance he couldn’t turn down.

The 31-year-old said: “I’m so determined to make it work. This is what I want to do. It’s come a lot earlier than I expected. I thought I’d stay with Stevie for a few years before moving on and being a manager in my own right. But it’s here and I’m delighted to have the opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”

Arthurlie president David Blakey admitted frustration at yet another managerial change.

He said: “Everybody is gutted that Stevie has left because we felt he was doing quite well. But I couldn’t have any arguments with his reasons for leaving.

“It’s unfortunate because this is happening too many times for our liking. But on the other hand Chris is really excited about the challenge ahead and hopefully the buzz he’s getting just now rubs off on the dressing room.”