Football: Ian Little ready for home debut as Tranent manager

The former Livingston and Alloa Athletic forward took over following the surprise departure of Max Christie last Friday.

Little, who guided his new side to a 2-1 win over the University of Stirling on Sunday, was looking to build on the good work of the managers who came before him.

He said: “It is still a wee bit new to me.

“I do know the players but it has been a wee bit up and down.

“We have had a few injuries and boys on holiday.”

Little, of Tranent, is no stranger to the club and previously had a brief caretaker spell in charge at the end of 2017 following the departure of Darren Smith and Kenny Rafferty.

Since then, he has gone on to manage Whitehill Welfare, Berwick Rangers and Bo’ness United.

Plenty has changed at Foresters Park in the intervening period and Little was looking forward to a first home game in charge, this Saturday against Gretna 2008.

Ian Little has returned to Tranent having previously been interim manager

He said: “Obviously, the progress has been really good.

“It has probably been a bit quicker than I would have thought.”

Christie only returned to the club in May having previously managed Tranent from December 2017 to January 2019.

He succeeded Colin Nish, who left the club at the end of last season.

Former Hibs striker Nish only took on the role in August last year when Calum Elliot, who had guided the side out of the East of Scotland Football League and into the Scottish Lowland Football League, surprisingly departed.

On his appointment earlier this year, Christie said he had left previous club Bo’ness United and was needing “a rest”.

However, very quickly, he realised he still wanted to be involved in football and was delighted to return to Foresters Park.

Speaking to Courier Sport on Tuesday morning, he described management as “all consuming”.

READ MORE: Football: Max Christie steps down as Tranent manager

He said: “I have been a manager for 14 years.

“I am 52 and it is just time for me to move into a different role.

“I have done it and just need a break from it.

“I left Bo’ness and then took the Tranent job and it is the same sort of consideration for me; I just need a break from it.

“There are other things to do and family and what not.”

Christie has backed his former assistant manager to give it his best as Tranent look to challenge for the Lowland League title and promotion to the Scottish Professional Football League.

He said: “It is not an easy task. There are big clubs with a hell of a lot of money.

“Ian has got a right feel for the game and been manager of Berwick Rangers twice.

“He is steeped in football and been involved since he was 16.”

The departing manager, son of legendary Scottish manager Terry, who was also headteacher at Musselburgh Grammar School, will not be a stranger at Foresters Park.

He has taken up a role on the club’s committee and was looking to offer his expertise to the club going forward.

Max Christie has stepped down as Tranent manager

He added: “It is new to me and I am going to go and see if I enjoy it and see if it is for me.”

A club statement said: “Max Christie has stepped down as manager of Tranent FC.

“Max has stated his desire to remain involved with the club and we have therefore invited him to join the committee.

“Ian Little will take over as first team manager with immediate effect.

“We wish them both well in their respective appointments.”

Tranent lie sixth in Scottish football’s fifth tier, with four wins, two defeats and one draw in their opening seven games.