Steven McGurgan has taken the reins after the side were unexpectedly promoted
Lanark United have appointed Steven McGurgan as their new manager
Steven McGurgan isn’t shouting his ambitions from the rooftops, but is quietly confident of success at Lanark United.
Former Wishaw, Gartcairn and Shotts left-back McGurgan took over the reins at Lanark from Daryl Meikle in the summer, and inherited a side that were promoted to the West of Scotland First Division due to Broomhill’s collapse.
Eight teams will be promoted up to the Premier League due to Lowland League reconstruction in season 2026/27, which was voted through earlier this month.
Lanark have been on a good run in recent seasons – winning the Third Division title in 2023/24 – but McGurgan isn’t taking anything for granted.
He said: “We’re just treating it as a normal season. You can get into a false sense of security, in terms of no relegation and stuff, and start jumping the gun, in terms of getting promoted.
“It’s a rebuild for us, so the aim is to try and get a competitive team on the pitch in a very competitive league.
“The target is to make sure we compete regularly. With the time we’ve got from now to the start of the season, hopefully we can put a team together that will be competitive in that league.
“It is a brilliant league. I wouldn’t be setting targets, in terms of making big statements in what we’re going to do and stuff like that, because it is a rebuild.
“We’re having to start from scratch to piece something together, but I am confident we can do that.”
Lanark United won the West of Scotland Third Division title in 2024(Image: Billy Quigley)
McGurgan, 39, didn’t expect to be thrust into the hot seat as early as this, but intends to grab it with both hands, alongside assistants Brian McKinven and Niall Reynolds.
He said: “It’s a great opportunity for myself and a great platform for the club.
“With the way they went last season, Lanark took it right to the wire, and were so close. Unfortunately Broomhill have gone out of existence and that opportunity [for promotion] has arisen now, but it’s one I’m looking forward to.
“I’ve been coaching for the last four or five years. I joined Bellshill as assistant manager earlier in the year, which was great, because I had a real platform to show what I can do, and what I bring to the table.
“That was a great environment for me and I didn’t expect to go into management so soon, but it had always been on my mind.
“I had been about playing for about 15 or 16 years at this level, and played with some good clubs – Blantyre Vics, Shotts, Benburb – and most recently I was actually at Lesmahagow, towards the end of my playing career.
“But that’s not in the forefront of my mind any more – it’s not ‘option one’, put it that way. I’d rather see the team on the pitch express themselves.”