BOLLAN UP FOR OVAL CHALLENGE
Glentoran are still searching for a successor to Scott Young (pictured)
FORMER Rangers and Dundee United ace Gary Bollan has thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant manager’s job at Glentoran.
With the application process having closed at the end of last month and with interviews due to begin this week, the 38-year-old ex-Livingston boss knows he is up against it but is excited by the challenge at the Oval.
Bollan was unable to apply to succeed fellow Scot, Scott Young, last month as he was still in a job but that came to an abrupt end in bizarre circumstances on Sunday morning when he was given the boot by the Scottish First Division side.
With Roy Walker, Eddie Patterson and Pat McGibbon rumoured to be the favourites for what will surely be a huge job to restore the east Belfast men to former glories, Bollan believes he has got the credentials to force his way into contention.
“I’ve been so focused on the job I had at Livingston that I wasn’t aware the Glentoran job was vacant,” admitted Bollan.
“We brought Livingston over to Northern Ireland during pre-season but play the Glens and Bangor and I’ve tried to keep an eye on them since.
“At Livingston we gained two promotions in two years after a difficult time in the club’s history but I was shocked when I was relieved of my duties at the weekend.
“Since taking over two and a half years ago, I was told be had to win the Third Division straight away to get promotion and we did that by 15 points.
“The following summer I was told we had to win the Second Division and we did that by more than 20 points and had we won on Saturday, we could have been sitting fourth in the First Division.
“But I got a phone call on Sunday morning to come to the ground; when that happens you know you aren’t going to be offered a pay rise and ultimately I was given the boot.
“I still don’t understand the logic. I was told it was because I didn’t bring enough young players though but the average age of our team was 22.
“As far as I am concerned, both my assistant Scott Patterson and I leave with our heads held high.”
Despite having no experience in the local game, Bollan is eager to talk to the Glentoran board.
He added: “The Glentoran job is huge. I know they have gone through a tough time recently but I believe I’ve got the track record in my short time as a manager to succeed.
“I’ve built up some good contacts within football in Northern Ireland since doing my A Licence coaching badge at Stranmillis and I would love the opportunity to talk to the Glens.
“I understand there has been a process but if they were interested, I would be in Belfast within an hour or two and coming to Northern Ireland is a challenge which really appeals to me.”
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
