It’s not the circumstances he wanted to take over in – but Garry O’Hanlon says he’ll do all he can to deliver success at EK Thistle.
The former coach and striker at the Jags has been named as their new boss after Alan Paterson stepped down as co-manager alongside Russell Craig.
Thistle had planned to build around the management duo for years to come after a lower mid-table finish with a young squad in West of Scotland Football League Conference C.
But a vicious assault on Paterson has left him with a nasty scar above his left eye and he has walked away from football entirely as he deals with the aftermath of that terrible ordeal.
O’Hanlon is gutted that it’s these circumstances that have brought him into the hotseat at the Showpark, but he knows that somebody had to fill the void, and continuity might be a blessing.
He said: “The full situation has been pretty horrible. Alan has had to step down and the club was planning to have them for the next two or three years. But due to what has happened, it’s been put on the backburner.
"So I’ve been asked to come in and take over. That is how it has all come about. I am happy to take it but it’s mixed emotions for me. I wouldn’t wish that to happen to anybody.
“The club was planning for the future with the core of what it had but circumstances have changed. It’s a good opportunity.
“Thistle has been through a lot in the past few years and I just want to keep going in one direction.”
John Lennox and Colin Hutchison, who were part of the coaching setup last season, will continue in their roles, while striker Aaron Connolly steps up to help the backroom team after his return to the club in the 2021/22 season was hampered by injury.
O’Hanlon added: “I’ve brought in Aaron alongside keeping the other two guys. Nothing drastic is going to be changing.
“Colin and John are brilliant coaches and they are brilliant guys, so it goes without saying they will be a big part of things.
“Colin in particular has been with the nucleus of the boys for a long time so it is pivotal he is part of it. We are looking to come back in on June 11 for pre-season.
“The last couple of weeks has been difficult as we were having discussions to how we were going to go forward. But since then, it’s been positive.”
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