Bonnyrigg Rose's Jonny Stewart not ready to become manager

Bonnyrigg Rose assistant player/manager Jonny Stewart expects there to be an abundance of applicants for the vacant management post, but he has admitted he won't be one of them as he isn't yet ready to be a manager.
Jonny Stewart, centre, is keen to lift more trophies with Bonnyrigg as a playerJonny Stewart, centre, is keen to lift more trophies with Bonnyrigg as a player
Jonny Stewart, centre, is keen to lift more trophies with Bonnyrigg as a player

David White ended his 12-month spell in charge of the New Dundas Park club last Sunday, explaining he couldn’t give his full commitment to the role due to a hectic family and working life.

Former Hearts player Stewart, still only 28, is already planning for life after playing having moved into coaching in recent years. He previously managed local amateur club Loanhead Parish and spent much of his eight-month rehabilitation from an ankle ligament injury helping out on the Rose training pitch last season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Management is something I want to go into further down the line. It might be a little bit too soon for me just now,” said Stewart

“I’m still fairly young and hopefully still have a few years left playing. I was assistant manager to Davie, so I’m enjoying that side of it as well – 
doing the coaching and I’m doing some of my badges at the moment as well. It’s definitely something I want to get involved in, I’m just not sure the right time is now.

“When I go into management, I want to give it all to management rather than trying to play and things like that. I’m not sure if I would want to be a player manager.

“I’m not sure what the club’s plans are yet, if they have anyone in mind or if they are going to open it up to applications. I spoke to him [Charlie Kirkwood, chairman] on Sunday and he just asked if I was happy to take charge of training this week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I don’t think the club will be short of interest, that’s for sure. Bonnyrigg is a big club at this level; it’s well run and we have a good bunch of players. Any manager coming in wouldn’t have to do too much or change too much. I’m sure there will be a lot of interested people. All the foundations are there for the club to progress up to the Lowland and possibly even further.”

It’s not been the easiest of weeks for all at Bonnyrigg, with White’s decision to leave coming less than 24 hours after their surprise defeat at Highland League club Deveronvale in the first round of the William Hill Scottish Cup. Rose had hopes of another memorable run to match that of two seasons ago when they knocked out Championship Dumbarton before hosting holders Hibs at a packed Tynecastle.

White’s decision came as a shock to Stewart and all of the players at the club. They will be determined to bounce back tomorrow when they visit Eyemouth United in East of Scotland Conference B action.

Stewart continued: “I was sitting speaking to him on the bus on the way down from the game. We were gutted after the result, but I didn’t think for one minute he was thinking about resigning. When I spoke to him on Sunday morning he explained his reasons, and I totally understood. It’s obviously a big commitment and he has a young family.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The league is our main 
priority. It would’ve been great to go further in the Scottish Cup but our main priority is to win this league and get up to the Lowland as quick as possible. We are back to league business, and it’s another wee test for the boys to pick ourselves up and go again.

“We’ve got quite an experienced changing room, it’s a great bunch of boys.

“We were here last year when Robbie [Horn] left to go to 
Berwick and the boys are disappointed that Davie has left, but its part and parcel of football. We just have to pick ourselves up and be as professional as we can.”