PATON TAKES KELTY OFFER

Rovers star couldn't refuse coaching role

- ANDY MCGILVRAY

Michael Paton says leaving Albion Rovers was difficult, but an assistant manager's role at Kelty Hearts was too good to knock back.

Paton, 36, left a player-coach role at Cliftonhill and hung up his boots after a three-year spell in Coatbridge.

The opportunity came up to join Tom O'Ware at League One Kelty, utilising experience gained from a seven-month spell as Brechin City boss in 2020-21, and former Aberdeen and Dunfermline midfielder Paton can’t wait to get started.

He said: “It was too good a chance to knock back.

“It’s no different from a footballer - if an opportunity arises at a higher level, you're going to take it.