A NEW management team is in place at Neilston FC.

Kevin Muirhead moves into the Brig O'Lea hotseat after more than five years in charge at East Ayrshire outfit Muirkirk Juniors.

He has also brought his assistant manager Mark O'Neill and coach Craig Bingham with him to Neilston.

A club spokesperson said: "The committee are looking forward to supporting Kevin and his management team in all their endeavours."

Muirhead, who hails from Paisley, replaces Chris Cameron and Derek Carson, who resigned as co-managers last month.

Andy Whiteford, Scott Cochran and Robbie Halliday had been in temporary charge while the search for a new manager took place.

It is understood Whiteford will again be in charge for Neilston's league match with Rutherglen Glencairn this Saturday before Muirhead fully takes the reins.

The club spokesperson added: "The committee would like to thank Andy Whiteford, Scott Cochran and Robbie Halliday for taking care of first team matters while we were recruiting a new management team.

"Their continuing assistance in ensuring a smooth transition is greatly appreciated."

Muirhead had been at Muirkirk, who play in the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) Second Division, since 2017.

The Burnside Park club currently occupy 12th place.

Hailed as the 'Paisley Pep Guardiola,' Muirhead now makes the step up to the First Division, with Neilston sitting four points off a promotion spot.

A statement released by Muirkirk said: "We are sorry to announce that our management team have been offered and accepted a similar position at Neilston Juniors.

"As a club we would like to thank Kevin, Mark and Craig for the way they have moved our club forward tremendously over their tenure and they leave with, I’m sure, the best wishes from everyone at Burnside Park."

Neilston's match against Rutherglen Glencairn on Saturday will take place at the Brig O'Lea, with kick-off at 1.30pm.