Callum Fordyce says he jumped at the chance of becoming assistant to cousin Rhys McCabe at Airdrie, and having that family tie was key.
The duo had spoken previously about branching into management once their playing days were over.
That opportunity presented itself to McCabe when Ian Murray and assistant Scott Agnew moved to Championship club Raith Rovers, and the pair grabbed it with both hands.
The former Livingston and Queen of the South defender admitted it has been an eye-opening experience taking his first steps into management.
He said: “It has been good so far and it’s exciting.
“It’s an opportunity that we had spoken about, and it makes it a lot easier that we’re family, and that we had always said we would like to do this together.
“When I got the call from Rhys, it was an opportunity I couldn’t really turn down; to be with him and help him out as much as I can.
“Management is a bit different, because you’re still having to train yourself while planning training sessions for players, and working on specific things that you will do.
“But then you have to come out and watch certain players, and stuff like that.
“It has been an eye-opener, and it gives you a wee bit more insight into what is hopefully going to be a long career in management once we stop playing.
“But at the moment it has been really good.”
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