Reid appoints ex-Airdrie star Taylor as new assistant boss

Jun 7 2007

HAMILTON have appointed former Airdrie United midfielder Stuart Taylor as their new assistant manager.

Taylor (32), turned down a one-year extension as a player and under-19 coach at Airdrie to link up with Reid at New Douglas Park. Taylor signed a two-year player-assistant deal on Monday.

Reid was impressed with Taylor when they both sat their ‘A’ coaching licence, and is delighted to get his man. Taylor, meanwhile, is excited about the prospects ahead.

However, Reid has warned the former Ross County player that he’ll need to earn his place in the team.

Reid said: “I’m delighted to appoint Stuart. I’ve taken a long time to bring somebody in as assistant manager, because it had to be the right person to replace Graeme Jones, who earned the respect of the players.

“Stuart has a hunger and a desire to do well. We spent the last week at Rangers’ Murray Park, finalising our ‘A’ assessment, I spoke to him about becoming assistant manager and he came on board.

“First and foremost, he’s assistant manager, but he’s a player and has to earn the right to play in my team.”

Having worked for several months without an assistant after Graeme Jones left for Swansea City, Reid is pleased to have somebody in the dug-out with him.

He said: “There was pressure on me, I can handle that, but for us to move forward as a club I had to bring somebody in with ambition, whom I think can pass on good things to the young players — and Stuart Taylor is the man to do that.”

Taylor said: “I had spoken to Billy at Inverclyde and Murray Park when we did our ‘A’ licence.

“On Thursday he approached me and asked what I thought about being assistant manager — and I basically bit his hand off!

“For me to learn my trade under Billy, with his experience, is an unbelievable opportunity and it’s something I’m going to put my whole heart into.

“To get a position at such an ambitious and exciting club is amazing. Everybody’s pulling together and going in the right direction.”

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