A sensational Junior managerial development has seen long-serving Ashfield boss Stevie Rankin move to take up the reins at Irvine Meadow.

The Saracen Park supremo of the past 10 years held an emotional meeting with his players last night at which he informed them of his intention to walk away from the Possil club along with his backroom team of Murdie McKinnon and Billy Kerr at the end of this season.

He said: "Irvine Meadow officials made an approach earlier this month and I met up with them for talks.

"I came away very impressed with their future plans and ambitions for their club.

"But making my mind up to go was only one side of the coin because I then had to deal with the so many ties and friendships built up at Ashfield, which I don't mind admitting made it a huge wrench for me to leave.

"But this was one of those now- or-never moments and I decided to grasp the nettle and give myself a shot at seeing if I can hack it as a manager at another club.

"Thankfully, the Ashfield club officials have afforded me the opportunity to see out the season as their manager as nothing would give me greater pleasure than to secure their safety from relegation."