New Rutherglen Glencairn boss reckons continuity will serve club well

Joe Pryce believes continuity will serve the team well, as he steps up from assisting Willie Harvey at the helm last season to become Rutherglen Glencairn's new manager.

The West of Scotland League First Division side made the announcement last week, shortly after Harvey stepped down due to health issues following his battle with Covid in 2021.

Pryce will now lead the team and coach Billy Ogilvie is promoted to assistant manager, while goalkeeping coach Stevie Hutchison remains in his role.

And the new gaffer reckons that familiarity around the squad that reached the Junior Cup final last month, where they lost to a last-gasp Cumnock goal, will benefit the team.

He said: “I’m delighted to be taking the role on and I have got two great guys beside me in Billy Ogilvie and Stevie Hutchison.

“Although my name is on the door as the manager, we work together and every decision that is made is made by consensus within that unit.

“That’s the way it was when Willie was here and that is not going to change now. The only thing that is changing is Willie is moving upstairs. The coaching staff is staying the same.

“Why would you not use the knowledge and talent that these guys have?

“The three of us will work together and I’m sure we will do a good job.”

On Harvey’s decision to step back from managerial duties and take on a new role as the club’s general manager, Pryce added: “It was something we knew was coming.

“Willie’s health hadn’t been great after his Covid scare and it was something we had spoken about throughout the year.

“Towards the end of the season, he was moving towards leaving, so it was nothing to do with the fact we lost the cup final.

“It was always going to happen but we couldn’t say anything to the players until