Alan Shields has overcome many obstacles during his whirlwind spell in charge of Cambuslang Rangers.

In fact, he recalls only agreeing to take over for 'a fortnight at the most', when gaffer Alan Wardlaw vacated the Somervell Park hotseat earlier this season.

The Wee Gers had been looking to build on their Central District Second Division title success of last term , but that challenge never really got off the ground.

Now the 36-year-old estate agent is desperate to ensure the club avoid the drop back into the bottom tier.

Mind you, Shields was raging on Saturday when one of his star players, Darren Moore, was sent-off - and he was joined in the stand by his dad.

He said: "We had just got ourselves back into the game against Dunipace when Darren was stupidly sent off.

"I've known him since he was a kid but he really let us down. He had been booked earlier, and then warned a couple of times, so the second yellow, for a daft challenge, was really unnecessary and annoying.

"We're in the thick of a relegation battle at the moment and every point is precious.

"But as if that wasn't bad enough, moments later, his dad, Stevie, our co-boss, was sent to the stand for giving the ref some verbals. He was asked to leave the side of the park for his own good.

"You work hard all week to give yourself every chance and when it ends up like that it's such a let-down. We're desperate for points to get out of the bottom five."

Shields revealed how he had agreed to stand in for Wardlaw until the committee found a full-time replacement.

He said: "I suppose it was an easy transition for the club. I suffered a snapped cruciate and cartilage injury against Kilwinning in the Evening Times Cup last term and that looked like it for me.

"I came in to help Wardy on the coaching side but when he called it a day I was asked to take over, and I didn't mind. I thought it was only for a week or two but it has turned into something a bit longer.

"It's more than likely that I'll finish up at the end of this season, though, as I'm really busy at work just now. I would really like the club to preserve its first division status before I go anywhere though."

Shields is now focussing all his energy on beating fellow strugglers Lanark United this Saturday and moving one step closer to safety.

Cambuslang are currently three points clear of the Lanarkshire side, so Shields sees it as something of an old fashioned 'six-pointer'.

He said: "If we win the match then we have definitely got the advantage. Three teams are relegated from the first division and Perthshire and Johnstone Burgh look as if they are already gone.

"We don't want to be joining them so it's a bit of a must-win match for us.

"If we manage to stay in this league then I can walk away with my head held high. I would then consider taking on a No.2 role at a club.

"I think I have a lot to offer but I just don't have the time to commit to being the boss."