George Shaw has set his sights on leading Cumbernauld United into the top flight of Junior football after being unveiled as the new manager of the Super First Division outfit.

The 47-year-old, had a chequered playing career in the Senior ranks, most notably with St Mirren, Partick Thistle and Dundee.

And that was followed by him taking up backroom team roles at Forfar Athletic and East Stirling.

He was persuaded by erstwhile United boss John Queen to come on board at Guys Meadow in a coaching capacity earlier this season.

Queeny’s shock decision to tender his resignation at the start of this month culminated in Shaw being asked to step into the breach and look after team affairs in the interim while Cumbernauld officials took stock of a total of 13 applications for their hotseat.

But nothing caught the eye more than the ex-Senior frontman’s tutelage contributing no end to Cumbernauld’s players hitting form and racking up victories over Super First rivals Irvine Vics and Rutherglen Glencairn.

United chairman George Watson said: "Seeing the reaction that George was getting from the players led to us asking him to throw his hat in the ring but without any assurances the job would be his after the interview process.

“Thankfully, he agreed because it was an easy decision to go with him as he’s a real enthusiast with an array of fresh ideas and everyone connected with Cumbernauld United feel confident he and his assistant Craig Tully can help continue this club’s upward spiral of recent years.

“There has been nothing but positive vibes about the place since he took charge of the dressing room and long may that be the case.”

It’s more than a tad ironic to think of Tully being No.2 to Shaw given the roles were reversed over the last two seasons at East Stirling.

The duo have wasted no time in tapping into their vast network of Senior contacts to bring ex- East Stirling striker Michael Wallace as well as Airdrie youngsters John Higgins and Murray Louden to Guys Meadow.

And all three newcomers have hit the ground running, with Wallace outstanding in the 4-1 defeat of Glencairn last weekend.

Other new faces are thought to be in the pipeline with there being a crying need to unearth a goalkeeper after Morton recently recalled highly rated loan signing Jamie McGowan.

Last night, newly-installed gaffer Shaw admitted: "I had playing stints with Shettleston and Cumbernauld United but clearly lacked in-depth knowledge of the Junior game so there was no way I was ever going to think this job was mine for the taking.

“All I could do was say my piece at the interview and sit back to await the decision of our Cumbernauld club officials.

"But now things have happened so quickly and circumstances have dictated that the most important people of all – the players - are still in the dark over my appointment so our club captain Ryan Sullivan has been tasked with phoning round everyone with the news.

“I’ve spoken to the guys previously and feel pretty sure it will be well received but having no fixture at the holiday weekend means we will not be getting together until reporting for next Monday night’s training session, which is far from ideal.

“That’s when the hard work begins in earnest as both Craig and myself will be hoping to get our football philosophy which in essence is to get a team on the park that is both successful and good to watch because of our passing style of football.

“Right now the playing squad is looking a bit light on numbers, despite the trio of lads coming in from the Seniors ,however quality is far more important than quantity and we are not going to be rushed into signings just for the sake of it.

“ Right now a goalkeeper is our No.1 priority and we’re speaking to someone with a decent pedigree whom we’re hopeful of getting in before our next scheduled game against Girvan a week on Saturday.”

Shaw, who continues to turn out with Kilsyth United in the Churches League, is praying that game goes ahead.

He added: "Girvan play Huntly in the Scottish Cup this week and the worst possible outcome is a draw because a replay would leave us idle for yet another week .”

Playing tomorrow: (Kick-offs 2pm unless stated ): William Hill Scottish Cup. First Round (3pm).Turriff Utd v Bonnyrigg Rose, Girvan v Huntly, Beith v Strathspey Thistle, Selkirk v Linlithgow Rose, Keith v Banks O’ Dee.

EthxEnergy Scottish Junior Cup. First Round (2.30pm). Armadale Thistle v Kennoway Star Hearts, Wishaw v Cumnock, Kirriemuir Thistle v Easthouses Miners Welfare, Whitletts Vics v Buckie Rovers, Ellon Utd v Glasgow Perthshire, Newburgh Thistle v Sauchie, Ardeer Thistle v East Kilbride Thistle, Buchanhaven Hearts v Culter, Thornton Hibs v Dunbar Utd, New Elgin v Dundee North End, Jeanfield Swifts v Lugar Boswell, Livingston v Cruden Bay, Pumpherston v Kirkcaldy YM, Saltcoats Vics v Renfrew, West Calder Utd v Stoneywood Parkvale , Vale of Clyde v Aberdeen Sunnybank, Irvine Vics v Newtongrange Star, Newburgh v Hermes, Largs Thistle v Blantyre Vics, Port Glasgow v Whitehills, Lochee Utd v Hurlford Utd, Bo'ness Utd v Bellshill Athletic, Lesmahagow v Irvine Meadow, Haddington Utd v Troon, Dundee East Craigie v Bathgate Thistle, Broxburn Athletic v Glenafton, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Dundonald Bluebell, Camelon v Whitburn, St Roch's v Kilwinning Rangers, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Banchor St Ternan, Arbroath Vics v Crossgates Primrose.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division Auchinleck Talbot v Arthurlie.

McBookie.com Super First Division. Shettleston v Clydebank.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Maybole v Annbank Utd, Darvel v Craigmark, Kello Rovers v Muirkirk.