Rutherglen Glencairn boss retires from management amid post-Covid health battle

Rutherglen Glencairn have announced that boss Willie Harvey has decided to retire from football management due to the after-effects of Covid.

The club suffered a heartbreaking last minute defeat to Cumnock Juniors in Friday's night's 1-0 Junior Cup final defeat at Broadwood, and the club have stressed it was Harvey's intension to step down from his post regardless of the result.

Harvey was hospitalised in September 2021 after contracting the virus and admitted he 'almost gave up the fight' after a harrowing battle for his life.

He hasn't fully recovered from the ill-effects of the illness and has now decided to call time on his management career.

Harvey has been at the helm for 13 years and will move upstairs at the Hamish B Allan Stadium to take up the role of general manager on the club's committee.

His successor will be announced in due course.

During his spell in charge, Harvey led the club to the West of Scotland Super League First Division title in 2018/19 and guided the club to their first Junior Cup final for 48 years.

A statement released by the club on social media read: "Our first team manager Willie Harvey gave notice to club's Management Committee several weeks ago that, after 13 years in the role and due to ongoing after effects of his recent serious Covid illness, it was his intention to retire from football management after the Scottish Junior Cup Final.

"We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Willie for his unquestionable dedication to the job, throughout which he has kept the club competing in the top two tiers of the WoSFL / SJFA West Region, won the SJFA West Region Championship title and culminated in Friday night's final.

"Willie will be remaining on the club's Management Committee