Former Ards manager Declan McGreevy has upset the odds to land the manager’s job with Danske Bank Premiership strugglers Donegal Celtic.
The former Ards defender, a west Belfast native, pipped favourite Pat McAllister and Loughgall boss Colin Malone following a second run of interviews this week – and will take official charge of the Wee Hoops in tomorrow’s proverbial six-pointer against fellow strugglers Lisburn Distillery.
McGreevy, 38, succeeds Stephen Small who resigned last month.
He added: “I am as proud as punch to have secured the management post at Donegal Celtic and I will get to work immediately on dragging what is a superb squad up the Premiership table. We are in a false position with great talent on the pitch and now is the time to make it work.
“My short-term plan is survival in the Premiership. My long-term plan is to see our underage players embraced in a development plan that everyone benefits from. We have too much talent in the locality that is not being tapped in to by Donegal Celtic, and I aim to change that as manager.”
McGreevy, whose management team will consist of Derry City legend Jimmy McGeough as his advisor, coaches Alan Young (ex-Bohemians) and John O’Kane, and one other yet to be named, said he also plans to ask the community why a Celtic team in west Belfast struggles to find support.
He added: “People of west Belfast live a breathe all things Celtic, the green and white hoops, the tradition, the history. I want to know reasons why a Celtic team in the area does not have people heaving through the turnstiles. I will ask for answers and I will be hell-bent on finding solutions.”
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