Jonny is just the job for Bonnyrigg Rose defender Neil Martyniuk

The former Hearts midfielder was appointed manager last March, replacing predecessor Calum Elliot who had overseen a poor run of results that had the club rooted to the bottom of SPFL League Two. Rose also received a six-point deduction for breaching league rules over the gradient of their New Dundas Park pitch.

Neil Martyniuk is now in his seventh season with Bonnyrigg. Picture: Joe Gilhooley LRPS.

And despite an upturn in results under Stewart towards the end of the 2024/2025 campaign, he was unable to keep Rose in the league with relegation back to Scottish football's fifth tier confirmed following an aggregate play-off defeat to East Kilbride in May.

Fast forward 12 months, the pitch has been levelled following extensive work, and Rose are now the team to catch in the Lowland League with an eight-point gap over nearest challengers Clydebank, who they visit tomorrow for a crunch clash at Holm Park.

Bonnyrigg Rose boss Jonny Stewart has now been in charge one year

"It was a bitter ending last season but we're now moving in a positive direction," Martyniuk told the Evening News. "It's been such a smooth transition with Jonny at the helm. He's a very good manager and coach, but he's also just one of life's good guys. The players respect him.

"We've now got a way he wants us to play, be brave on the ball, but he's not changed an awful lot to be honest, he's just given us that platform and freedom to express ourselves. He has recruited very well too. He's kept players who have been there for a long time, but we've got a good blend of youth and experience."

Rose have been riding the crest of a wave since a 3-2 victory over this weekend's opposition in October, their first match back at New Dundas Park having spent the first couple of months of the season groundsharing at East of Scotland First Division outfit Whitehill Welfare's Ferguson Park.

Martyniuk, who is now in his seventh season with the Rosey Poesy, and a former team-mate of gaffer Stewart, believes playing away from their home venue contributed to an inconsistent start. The club have picked up a maximum 24 points from their eight games since returning to New Dundas Park five months ago and have suffered just one defeat in 16.

"We've not dropped any home points since coming back to New Dundas Park," the 29-year-old said. "Going back to when we were having to play at Rosewell, our players weren't performing as they should be, but I also think it just didn't feel like we were playing home games. It was different surroundings, we didn't have as many fans, so it was a struggle.

"Our first game back at New Dundas was against Clydebank so it was a big match to return home. And I kind of think it's just snowballed from there. There's been a right good feeling since we've been back.

"There's a huge improvement to the surface. The work the club have done with the pitch, the drainage is much better, for example. It's night and day to what it was. We're able to play a lot more football on the ground so I think that has helped our performances and results.

"Dropping down a level this season is obviously a kick in the teeth, but I actually feel Lowland League sides play more football than what they do in League Two. I'd say teams in League Two are more setup and structured to not get beat. If you are winning football games then it obviously puts a smile on your face. We had a tough start but I always believed we'd come good. I look around the changing room and we've got a lot of quality. We've really been motoring since October. The more games you win the more confident you become individually and collectively.

"It's a huge game this weekend. We want to go there and win. We're confident, but at at the end of the day it's another three points up for grabs. Clydebank have done very well this season. I have never played through there but by all accounts it's a really tough place to go. They are well supported.

"There's a long way to go whatever happens on Saturday. There are other teams who will by vying for top spot like Tranent, Linlithgow, and Caledonian Braves. But we control our own destiny. We're into March, we're sitting top, but there's still so much football to be played."