DUNDEE United chairman Jim McLean yesterday called in one of his
former pupils to lead the team out of the relegation zone and bring it
back to prominence in the premier division.
The appointment of 36-year-old Billy Kirkwood, who has been reserve
coach with Rangers for close to four years, comes just two weeks after
the dismissal of Croatian Ivan Golac.
Kirkwood has been favourite for the job, but it was thought that the
caretaker co-operative of Gordon Wallace, Paul Hegarty and Maurice
Malpas would continue untill the end of the season.
Instead, Kirkwood, whose first game in charge, ironically, will be
against Rangers at Tannadice this Saturday, has been brought in after
only two more games, which have yielded just one point.
McLean insisted that the club were now satisfied they had found the
right man, but refused to reveal the length of contract.
Kirkwood said ''I have had one or two offers to go on my own, but this
is the sort of challenge that appeals to me. I have learned a lot,
particularly in the last four years at Ibrox.''
McLean said: ''Billy was always one of the most committed players and
we are confident that commitment still exists.''
Rangers manager Walter Smith said: ''He is ready for the job and will
do it well. He has had a lot of success with Rangers' reserve team.''
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