DAVIE GREIG is celebrating the New Year as the manager of Irvine Meadow.

The former Blantyre Vics and St Roch's gaffer’s surprise unveiling on Tuesday night as the man to head up the famous old Ayrshire club’s battle against relegation brought an end to 13 days of intense speculation that followed on from the out of the blue sacking of erstwhile management team Stevie Rankin and Murdie McKinnon in the lead up to Christmas.

Highly-regarded Auchinleck Talbot No.2 Alan McLuckie, ex-Albion Rovers boss James Ward and former Medda players Alan McTurk, Brian McGinty and Mark Campbell had all been aired as possible replacements. However, club officials raised more than a few eyebrows with the appointment of the popular Greggy.

And his enthusiasm at being handed the reins was close to bubbling over when he spoke last night of how events had unfurled over the previous 72 hours.

He said: “Big managerial jobs like taking charge of a club of Irvine Meadow’s stature don’t come along too often so I made the decision to throw my hat in the ring when the club invited applications and I was both pleasantly surprised and delighted to be invited along for an interview on Monday night.

“I was impressed with what was said and felt I was given ample opportunity to put over my beliefs about the Junior game but I came away with no pre-conceived notion that the post was going to be mine for the taking.

“A prior commitment to help out a good friend had me earmarked to take a coaching session with Possil Y.M. on Tuesday night but I had just stepped out of the car at their training facility when my mobile rang and the caller was Medda secretary Lynn McFarlane who wanted me to come back down to Meadow Park for further talks.

“Suffice to say I was offered the job and gratefully accepted it without a moment’s hesitation before getting in touch with my backroom team of Scott Mills, John Petrie and not forgetting Kevin Rutkiewicz who is coming on board in a player/coach capacity.”

Next up for Greggy was a first meeting with his new playing charges last night which he jokingly described as something akin to a “blind date.”

He revealed: “I’ve not managed any of the guys before but I’m well enough acquainted with the Juniors to know who they are even if I’m not all that sure if they know anything about me.

“But all kidding aside, the sheer quality of players crammed around that dressing room was nothing short of outstanding and I ‘m really looking forward to working with them to try and turn their season around.

“Glenafton coming to Meadow Park on Saturday represents as tough a baptism as I could have picked particularly as they are one of the in-form sides and have won five games on the spin, inclusive of a 4-2 defeat of Medda down at their place.

“But the situation now is that just about every club is returning to action after the two-week festive break so Saturday’s games are like a fresh start and I’m feeling confident the players and supporters at this club will be impressed with the style if football I advocate we play.

“For certain we will be having a go at teams and we will look for the players to hopefully adapt to our methods and put a few wins on the board for starters.

“That said, I want us to improve and not just short term even though a crunch trip through to meet Linlithgow Rose is looming next week in the ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup.

“The ability contained in our playing squad promises much more to come in terms of delivering better performances on a regular basis and my aim is to be watching it from the best seat in the house.”

The irony of Greggy assuming the helm at Irvine Meadow just days after Murdie McKinnon took charge of Blantyre Vics team affairs was not lost on the vastly experienced boss.

He added: “It’s not unlike a bizarre game of musical chairs but I truly wish Murdie well at Castle Park and hope he understands my reasons for not wanting our paths to cross again this season.

“My immediate target is to earn the backing and support of the players here at Irvine Meadow and I wouldn’t entertain any thoughts of brokering player exchanges.

“I’ve a big enough job on my hands to help retain our Super Premier Division status and this new management team will not come up short for lack of hard work.”