Aaron Connolly says he would be willing to take the East Kilbride Thistle job until the end of the season, as he prepares to meet with the Jags hierarchy today to discuss the way forward.
The 31-year-old has been in caretaker charge of the West of Scotland League Third Division side for the last month, having taken the reins from Garry O’Hanlon after his sacking, but he was initially reluctant to commit himself to the position.
However, after a run of three wins and one defeat from his four games at the helm, the striker admits he would take on the role, if it is presented to him at this week’s meeting.
He said: “There will be a formal conversation on the current situation but what that entails at the moment, I don’t know.
”It’s obviously something that is creeping up and the players have been asking me about it as well. That’s four games I’ve taken in four weeks now and I am still unsure if I want to be a manager long-term.
“I’m only 31 and some people would argue I should still be playing.
“I love the coaching aspect of it. I love spending time on the pitch and I’m finding Saturdays particularly stressful being on the side of the pitch.
“But the way results have gone and the commitment the players have shown to me, I think the least I could do is show that same commitment to the players and the club, if the opportunity is presented to me.”
Asked if that would be until the end of the season, he added: “Since I have come in, it has already very much been a case of take it game by game and see where it takes us.
“We’ve got a good group there both in terms of quality and personality, and I fully expected them to start putting results and performances together.
“I suppose the answer is, if it was to become an option for me, for the good of the squad and the stability of the club, then probably I would, yes.
“But in terms of my longer term future, I’m still really unsure whether it is definitely for me at this stage, having had a crack at it for the past four weeks.”
Connolly is set to face the biggest test of his short tenure so far this weekend when West of Scotland Premier Division leaders Darvel visit the Showpark in the second round of the South Challenge Cup. Kick-off on Saturday is 2pm.
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