Craig McEwan's 2014/15 travels are hardly an odyssey - even though he has gone full circle by returning to the club where he started out this season - Glenafton.

The shock announcement was made just over three months after the 37-year-old revealed he was quitting the Ayrshire club - where he had played for just over four seasons - in order to take up his first-ever managerial post at the helm of Super Premier Division rivals Arthurlie.

His appointment by Barrhead officials was looked upon as a gamble, but one that had appeared to have paid off as he chalked up six victories during an eventful 10-game tenure and helped secure a place in the Scottish Junior Cup fourth round, which sees Arthurlie hosting Rob Roy on Saturday.

Playing matters were looking upbeat, and club officials demonstrated their backing for the new boss by coming up with the funds to acquire his January signing targets of full-back Craig Palmer (Petershill) and striker Chris Dallas (Albion Rovers).

But the surprise resignation of Glenafton gaffer Tommy Bryce saw McEwan take over the Loch Park hot seat, with the Barrhead club refuting a Glens claim that they had sought permission to approach their target.

McEwan, however, refused to be drawn into this war of words as he and backroom team of Stevie Kerrigan and Craig Potter met their Loch Park players.

He said: "The entire debate centres around the word permission, but what is irrefutable is that the Glens were courteous and respectful in informing Arthurlie of their intention to speak with me.

"I would not have wanted it any other way as Keggs, Pottsy and I loved every minute of our time there, and would not have walked away for any club other than Glenafton, where we previously enjoyed great times.

"Indeed, my feelings for the Glens are such that I would not have hung up the boots as a player had I known the manager's job was going to be offered to me three months down the line.

"The approach and job offer of a near three-year contract came right out of the blue, and it's no exaggeration to say the three of us deliberated long and hard on Sunday afternoon before coming to the decision it was now or never."

One had to ask how Southy explained his departure to new signings Palmer and Dallas.

He said: "I would never have signed the guys up had I known about Glenafton's interest, and it was embarrassing having to talk to them, particularly big Dallas, who pointed out he turned down lucrative contract offers from other clubs because he wanted to play under me and the guys.

"But these things are part and parcel of football and I'd like to believe there are no hard feelings going forward."

Southy's first game in charge of the Glens is a home contest against Beith, whose manager Johnny Millar's name is already in the frame to fill the Dunterlie hotseat along with other former players Derek McCulloch and James Ward (ex-Albion Rovers).

Ironically, Bryce, whose No.2 is ex-Arthurlie skipper Digger Fulton. is being touted as the ideal replacement in some quarters, but it's understood goalkeeping coach and ex-Renfrew gaffer Billy Peacock has been charged with looking after team matters for the crunch tie with Rob Roy.

Bellsdale boss Millar refused to entertain questions about his former club, but was more forthcoming in discussing his locking of horns with McEwan.

He said: "He will have his reasons for going, but his making such a good start at Arthurlie had me thinking he would be in the job for a long time.

"No doubt his Glenafton players will be fired up by his appointment, however my guys will be looking to make sure he doesn't get away to a similar good beginning at our expense ."

Millar went on to explain his weekend transfer of bustling striker Daniel Mackay to Neilston in saying: "Daniel's a really great guy to have around the place, but having Kenny McLean back in the fold gives us four quality strikers along with Andy Reid, Darren Christie and Sean McKenna, so the chances are Danny would struggle to get a regular game and that's not fair on him.

"It was only fair to let him move on and I've no doubts he will score goals for Neilston."