New Neilston manager Kevin Muirhead is predicting “exciting” times at the Brig O’Lea after moving into the hotseat.
Muirhead has taken charge of The Farmer’s Boys after more than five years at East Ayrshire outfit Muirkirk Juniors.
He has also brought his assistant manager Mark O’Neill and coach Craig Bingham with him to Neilston.
Muirhead, from Paisley, was at the Brig O’Lea for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Rutherglen Glencairn but wasn’t in the dugout.
Now he is targeting a win when he takes his new team to Dam Park to face Whitletts Victoria this weekend.
Muirhead told Barrhead Sport: “I had spent quite a lot of time at Muirkirk, where my original plan was to stay there for two or three years and we ended up staying for five-and-a-half.
“I feel I had done an excellent job, with two promotions and some excellent Scottish Cup runs, so my stock was quite high and, when the Neilston job came up, it was something we had to look at and take quite seriously.
“I’m from Paisley, so I’m local, and it makes a lot more sense logistically that I’m four miles from my house rather than forty.
“Speaking to the committee members that I met, they are on the same page as me, so it’s exciting and I’m glad to be part of it.”
Muirhead had been at Muirkirk, who play in the West of Scotland Football League Second Division, since 2017.
He has made the switch to the Brig O’Lea after Chris Cameron and Derek Carson resigned as Neilston’s co-managers last month and now aims to make an impact in the First Division.
“It’s a step up,” said Muirhead.
“Before Muirkirk, I worked in professional football as a coach, so I’ll be looking to add that professionalism in how we approach things,” said Muirhead.
“On Saturday, I felt we were quite passive and that’s not how I approach games. I like my teams to be high pressing and aggressive and physical.
“I asked them for that at half-time and the response was much more how I would expect a team that I set up to play.”
Whitletts are currently bottom of the league but Muirhead insists he isn’t taking anything for granted ahead of Saturday’s match, which kicks off at 1.30pm.
He said: “I know Whitletts very well and it’s a team that have to be respected, especially down at their own park.
“We’ll approach the game with the same attitude and professionalism as we would against a team at the top of the league.”
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