By The Spider
January 13 2003

In another Evening Times exclusive, a Club "insider" (wonder who that might be?) has again abused their position to feed the Club's new pet paper with another unofficial announcement. After the debacle over Iain Munro's "appointment" last month, let's hope that this time "insider" has got it right!

Assuming that this time the Evening Times exclusive is correct, then this writer applauds the Committee's decision to appoint Kenny Brannigan as their new coach, although it does raise significant question's over Kenny's alleged remarks that he would seek to bring Eddie Hunter back to Hampden with him.

In any event, notwithstanding the fact that the Committee appear split over the appointment (otherwise they would have not waited so long to make it), this should be a good move for the Club in the longer term. Yes, Kenny's appointment will not go down well in certain quarters (apparently several players are not keen on the idea if tales told to supporters after games in the Social Club are to be believed), but Kenny began his career at Queen's and knows exactly what is required at this level. Whilst some may question his methods, there is no doubt that Kenny is a born winner and woe betide any players who don't give 100% whilst under his charge.

Even if some players choose not to resign for him at the end of the season (would they have gone anyway), Kenny is a big enough name in the game at SFL level to attract new players, as well as to bring on the next crop of the Club's youngsters. He will have learned well from the methods of fellow ex-Spider Ian McCall over the years and, if given time to learn from his mistakes (he is obviously going to make a few as he goes), then the Club should reap the benefit within the next couple of years.

Only time (or the "insider") will tell, but The Spider wholeheartedly endorses Kenny's appointment and hopefully all his doubters will be won over in due course.