Former Celtic star aiming to turn part-time team professional as he refuses to rule out shock Premiership return

Paul Hartley insists his ambition as Cove Rangers boss is to turn them full-time in the Championship - with a dream Premiership promotion not ruled out.

The 45-year-old from Hamilton has been in charge at the League One leaders since 2019, following stints as boss at Alloa, Dundee and Falkirk.

He also enjoyed a glittering playing career with Celtic, Hearts and the Scotland national team after beginning with local club Hamilton Accies.

Cove are top of League One and have their destiny in their own hands as Championship football is eyed. They currently operate on a part-time basis.

He got them promoted from League Two in 2020 and should they reach the second tier in Scottish football, turning full-time may be an option to boost their hopes of reaching Premiership status.

Airdrie's hybrid model is something the Hamilton man is taking plenty of encouragement from.

Hartley told Open Goal: "When I took the job, the chairman had a plan to get to the Championship within five years. We may be ahead of that depending what happens this season.

"If we get there, who knows what can happen. If you stay in the Championship, you need a full-time operation if you want to progress.

"It's something we would like to do further down the line. Eventually the plan is to get a hybrid model, where during the day we have younger lads in and the part-time lads at night.

"Airdrie do it and Raith Rovers used to do it. I'm really happy here and enjoy working with the people here, and the players."

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