Irons quits Gretna for Morton job

[Bergkamp10]

Manager David Irons has resigned his post at Gretna, along with assistant Derek Collins, to take over at First Division Morton.
The pair replace Jim McInally and Martin Clark at the Greenock club.

Irons stepped up from the assistant's role in March and steered Gretna into the Premier League as caretaker coach on a dramatic final day of last season.

He was given the manager's job in July, taking over from Rowan Alexander, but Gretna have struggled in the SPL.

Irons leaves with the club stranded at the foot of the table, having picked up just 13 points from 25 games.

And the news of his departure comes a day after it was revealed that Gretna staff, including players, had not received their wages on time.

Gretna director of football Mick Wadsworth, assisted by Iain Scott and Andy Smith, will take charge of first-team affairs until further notice.

Morton were looking for a new management team following the resignation of McInally and his assistant Clark.

They decided to leave after the Cappielow team had fallen into the relegation play-off spot.

A statement from chairman Douglas Rae said: "I have pleasure in announcing our new management team is to be Dave Irons and Derek Collins.

"Our new management duo will take over immediately and be in charge of training and team selection for Saturday's match against St Johnstone.

"I will personally be grateful if we can all now close ranks and give Dave and Derek a wonderful welcome on Saturday coupled with typical Morton support for the team."

Collins, who was operating without a contract at Gretna, had two spells as a player with Morton.

In January, Morton knocked Gretna out of the Scottish Cup, winning a fourth-round replay 3-0.