Kenny Shiels began work at Morton on Monday looking for both short and long term success at the Greenock club however he will not be fully utilised against Falkirk this weekend.
The former Kilmarnock manager has ended 6 months out of the game and he warmed up for his return by watching his new side go down 2-0 to Alloa at Recreation Park on Saturday.
Shiels had also recently taken in the Greenock side’s games with Dundee and he will be back in a watching position at Cappielow as he is serving a two game touchline ban that was incurred when he was the manager at Rugby Park.
“I am allowed to be involved up to an hour before the game starts,” said Shiels before adding, “After that I cannot instruct the team. It is frustrating and feels that Morton are being punished for something that is not their doing.”
“I am excited to be back in and there is a sense of excitement around Greenock and hopefully that will continue against Falkirk. They are a good side, who are well led by Alex Smith and Gary Holt and developing a lot of their own players. In saying that, it would be terrific to get my time at Morton off to a great start by beating them.
Last Saturday’s result against Alloa left Morton, who parted company with Allan Moore last month, rooted at the bottom of the Championship table 5 points behind Cowdenbeath, who picked up a fine 2-1 win at Dens Park last weekend, and 9 behind Dumbarton.
Shiels is enthused by the challenge to avoid relegation and ensure participation in what looks like being a high profile and competitive Championship next season as he explained: “It is good to be involved again and getting back into a dressing room. It is the environment that I feel most content in. I did not go in at half time at Recreation Park but I spoke to the players after the game.”
“It will be much the same this week however with a number of days of preparation beforehand.”
There is a feeling of anticipation in Shiels as he advised: “I have agreed a year and a half long contract and hopefully it will become longer. I want to take this club as far as I possibly can. It is a different job in a different league to the Kilmarnock one and I am prepared for it mentally and physically. I need the players to reciprocate that.”
“My spell out of the game was very difficult. Football is my life, I was desperate to get back and when this opportunity came along it has given me great inspiration.”
The goals for Shiels are relatively straightforward as he explained: “We need a short term fix of 10 points but we also need combine that with long term plans in terms of youth development at the club.”
“I have a big challenge on my hands, we need to get up to the safety of eighth place. That is not easy and the first priority is to get the 5 points back on Cowdenbeath.”
Shiels knew quickly the steps he has to take as he explained: “Confidence needs to be lifted amongst the players as Alloa had two shots and scored two goals. When you are down where Morton are it tends to go against you like that. It was the same against Dundee the week before. Alloa scored with their first shot on 43 minutes after Morton had dominated possession.”
“When you are down you feel a bit of injustice but the players have to take on more responsibility.”
There are positives for Shiels to build on as he explained: “Morton are good in terms of possession and that is a good start for any team. Whilst the possession is good it lacks penetration and I have told the players that. There is no point in dominating the ball if you cannot have a shot at goal.”
Shiels, who has installed caretaker manager David Hopkin as his number two, does not intend making wholesale changes in next month’s transfer window as he explained: “There is no real bonus that the transfer window is opening as I see it more of a case of improving what we have. I have not discussed that anyway as all I am looking to do is improve things now.”
“That is my job whilst clawing away the deficit.”
Shiels is looking for his team to engage with fans at the Tail o’ the Bank as he added: “I have been going to games throughout my time out and I know that this job is a challenge. Football is a game of the people and the supporters are the most important part of a club.”
“It is a great to have the chance to acknowledge them and help their club to get better. There is a big latent support at Morton and we need to delve into that. Morton are a club with great tradition and ambition. They have an impetus, a drive and desire to move up.”
“I studied the club a lot and spoke with the Chairman to find out whether he was ambitious to move up, which he certainly is.”
“There is a great community programme at the club and a lot of good people at it as well. Warren Hawke is working away with the youth structure alongside Derek Anderson and I am going out to make sure that the club is successful both in the short and long term.”
Shiels has already immersed himself at his new club already and he is looking for others to do the same as he explained: “I did all that research and liked what I saw. I can feel there’s already a good trust between the Chairman and myself.”
“It is possible for a 2 year old to have an affiliation with Morton by joining Micro Morton practice sessions and then move up to Mini Morton coaching sessions.”
“They can spend their lives – just like the Chairman has done - either supporting, or even playing for the team. So we have a strong community connection and a strong community spirit. When the team go out on a Saturday there’s an immense local pride and we have a duty to accommodate that
“When asked about his side’s position at the foot of the Championship Shiels added: “It is certainly a challenge but I have already seen a lot of good things with the players in training. There are a lot of things that can be built on and it is up to me as manager to give it everything I have. Every ounce of energy I have will go into this project.”
Morton Chairman Douglas Rae said: “We had several very, very good candidates apply for the job when it became vacant, but Kenny came top of the list he ticked all the boxes.
“He is an outstanding character who will do very well for us. He’s a manager with a lot of experience and a keenness for youth. In recent seasons at Morton we have gone in for our Youth Academy in a very big way by running six youth teams as well as our development squad that play in the Reserve League.”
“Unfortunately the team that’s faring the poorest at the club is the one that should be doing the best. We’re sure that Kenny will be a great success with us, he shares our ambition to reach the Premier League but firstly we need to stay in this division.”
Rae added: “I’m very pleased that David Hopkin is going to assist Kenny because in his three games in interim charge he has brought shape and organisation to the team even if results haven’t gone our way.”
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