Imrie to Raith

[BishyTON]

Bit of a strange one to be honest. I could totally have understood him heading to Partick in the summer just past (albeit it would have annoyed most of the fanbase much more given the Partick fanbase are insufferable). They are a bigger club with much bigger ambitions.

Raith are roughly the same size of club as us and he has no built in support from the fanbase like he did here. Not saying he won't be a success, but I see him meeting a similar fate to the last few managers they have had.

[mcintyre_gmfc]

Bring back the Duff!

[SassenachTon]

It's genuinely upsetting to see him holding up the Raith scarf, and obviously being so utterly delighted to be there. I never thought I'd see any manager so happy to be away. What the fuck has gone on behind the scenes to instil that level of obvious relief at being away? 

[mcintyre_gmfc]

In all seriousness, another left field appointment like Imrie would be more appealing than most of the names listed. I hope we don’t get some rabble like Jim McIntyre or Mark McGhee! 

[TONofmemories]

It was evident he wanted an escape. Applying for every job available which is his prerogative. 

The flip side is if the lack of wins continued, the board might have been considering a difficult conversation and that could have lead to paying off remaining contracted term, so to get some compensation (what that looks like im not sure) vs losing him in the summer on a free, is probably the best outcome. 

He has been an outstanding servant to Morton, lets not forget. Now, he's treated same as every ex player with seemingly bigger ambitions. Lets just see if the grass is indeed greener. The track record for that doesn't paint the best picture. 

[shaddypeekey]

The main reason I can think of for him going to Starks Park is the simple one that they're going to pay him more. Can't blame him for that to be fair. There no bigger a club than us, similar fanbase and catchment area. 

[Cet Homme Charmant]

Disappointed, but not as gutted as I would have been a couple of years ago.

It's probably not an overstatement to say Dougie completely transformed the team and its relationship with the fans in his first season-and-a-half when he took over the helm. His high work ethic and demands were just what was needed at the time, and he was a breath of fresh air. Quite a few players from that time are in debt to Dougie for (re)igniting their career.

But we've treaded water since then, so I think he's probably taken us as far as he could. Of course it's far from guaranteed that whoever takes over will do any better, but it's maybe a good time for a change for both him and the club.

Huge respect also to him as a person, for the dignity and courage he showed during his personal tragedy at the start of the season.

All the best, Dougie. 

[SpoonTon]

When a really terrible manager leaves, at least there's always the hope of someone better coming along. There wasn't much hope when Macpherson left but at least he was gone. We had just gone through a combination of McKinnon-Johansson-Hopkin-McElhone-MacPherson, so Imrie's arrival was an incredible turnaround from what we'd suffered through. There was a feeling when Duffy left that he had taken us as far as he could and it was time for something fresh - but it took a few backwards steps to finally move forward again.

I'm not really sure what I want from a new manager right now. You'd think if it's not Davies then it's maybe a younger head coach who's hands on in training - cause it's not going to be a manager who gets to bring an assistant to do the work on the training ground like Millen did. That maybe takes away some of the more experienced options like Murray. 

 

[RossMcC1874]

Imrie was a complete unknown when he came in and the gamble paid off for us. 

The board always keeps talking about ambition and what they want to keep pushing for if thats the case I think we should be looking to appointment a permanent manager rather than just the safe option with Davies. 

A young head coach who can get the players motivated with new ideas imo would be the way to go, like other have said Michael McIndoe has done a good job at a lower level, of course its a step up for him but considering Imrie had no managerial experience its not the biggest gamble to take. 

Rhys McCabe managed to get Airdrie into the playoffs and also win a Challenge Cup with them, again I think someone like him wouldnt be the worse shout. 

 

[SpoonTon]

I do think there's a lot which points towards McCabe as a possibility. There was a feeling over the last couple of years that there was internal pressure for Imrie to play more like Airdrie had been playing (the Chairman wanted better football).He also fits the bill of a young head coach to learn under Davies. 

So if Davies doesn't want the job, you'd think it would be someone like that who comes in. 

[Ferguson]

A younger option makes the most sense, if we want to go for experience then we’re as well just giving it to Davies and bringing in a young assistant, can’t see us going forward with both Davies and another old head in charge. I hope neither end up being the case.

I also think we should be staying clear of McCabe. He’s left Airdrie with a horrendous squad and only stayed up last year thanks to Hamilton’s late points deduction. 

[Gordon Ritchie]

I worked closely with Dougie during his time at the club, and I think it’s a mistake to let him leave. He was far from a perfect manager (is there such a thing?) but he was a good tactician and an outstanding motivator. During his tenure, we created an atmosphere within the squad that meant that players wanted to come to Morton (sometimes for less money than was on offer elsewhere). From what I’ve heard, that atmosphere has been destroyed in recent months.

Some fans have criticised his recruitment, and commented on his failure to get the most out of his increased budget. I’d respond with two comments. Not every signing was Dougie’s. I believe that some signings were done at the insistence of a Chair and GM who exceeded what I believe should have been their role. 
 

Secondly, there is only a limited pool of good Championship players available. When you don’t get a budget on time, most of the quality talent has signed elsewhere. He cannot be blamed for that. I don’t know who was at fault for the late budget, but I can make an educated guess.

Dougie was responsible for turning around many careers at Cappielow. Muirhead, Oakley, Grimshaw, Crawford, Quitongo and others were on a downward trajectory until they came to work with him in Greenock. Dougie made them better players. I don’t think any of them have improved since they left.

The decision to let Millen leave had undermined Dougie. Andy and I were never friends at Cappielow, but I respected his talent and knowledge of the game. His greatest value to a manager was that he had no ambition to be a manager himself. He was happy to be the assistant, and so never threatened the manager’s position. When he left, and Dougie was denied his choice as a replacement, the writing was on the wall.

The club supported Dougie through his compliance issue for gambling, and through his pro license. He was always grateful for that support, and for us giving him his chance at management. I wonder if he thinks he had the same support in recent times.

I am sorry to see him leave. He was not the finished article, and at times could be a stubborn b****** to work with, but his commitment to his players could never be questioned. 

Given that it has taken the board 18 months and counting to find a new finance director since Harkins announced he was leaving, does anyone have confidence that they will get this process right? I was regularly telling them that they should always have a shortlist of managers ready, as Dougie was certain to leave at some point. Their statement does not inspire confidence of a quick resolution.

Will we choose the best candidate, or will it be one of Laird’s buddies that gets the job? But of course, that can’t happen as he (apparently) plays no part in the decisions!

Dougie’s success on the pitch has papered over many of the cracks behind the scenes. 

Finally, ask yourselves this question. If everything was good at Cappielow, why was Dougie applying for almost every job that came up? I can understand Inverness (at the time it happened) and Partick. Raith? Not so much. But I’m told he made an approach to Airdrie. How desperate must he been to leave Morton? And it wasn’t for money. Dougie was well paid at Cappielow. 

 

 

[dunning1874]

22 minutes ago, Gordon Ritchie said:

If everything was good at Cappielow, why was Dougie applying for almost every job that came up? I can understand Inverness (at the time it happened)

 

 

Tangential issue to others raised here, but I don't think wanting to leave Morton for Inverness in 2023 was remotely understandable at all. It was blatantly obvious to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention that a financial implosion for them was inevitable, whether they were relegated or not.

[Gordon Ritchie]

5 minutes ago, dunning1874 said:

Tangential issue to others raised here, but I don't think wanting to leave Morton for Inverness in 2023 was remotely understandable at all. It was blatantly obvious to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention that a financial implosion for them was inevitable, whether they were relegated or not.

That’s true, except that many “football people” have blind faith in the ability of clubs to pay the bills. I was told a story about Rangers when they went under. The manager (Smith and McCoist) were told that there was no more money. The next day they asked to spend two million on a new player. They could not comprehend how a club like Rangers could not afford a measly two million for a player.

[Rossco]

1 hour ago, Gordon Ritchie said:

Finally, ask yourselves this question. If everything was good at Cappielow, why was Dougie applying for almost every job that came up? I can understand Inverness (at the time it happened) and Partick. Raith? Not so much. But I’m told he made an approach to Airdrie. How desperate must he been to leave Morton? And it wasn’t for money. Dougie was well paid at Cappielow. 

 

 

I would like to think he left for footballing reasons & felt he couldn't take us any further. He was very vocal last season about missing out on the playoffs. If there was tension with the board then surely we would have just quit I am sure he wouldn't have found himself out of work for very long

[Greacen2000]

20 minutes ago, Rossco said:

I would like to think he left for footballing reasons & felt he couldn't take us any further. He was very vocal last season about missing out on the playoffs. If there was tension with the board then surely we would have just quit I am sure he wouldn't have found himself out of work for very long

Most people don’t have the luxury of being able to quit without having something else already lined up, regardless of how employable and confident in their own ability they are 

[Charles_Joe]

He’s not had Rangers or Celtic money at any point in his career. He’s not going to chuck away a wage on something as expensive as principles. He’s done exactly what anyone paying bills from an average looking salary would do. 

[TRVMP]

4 hours ago, SpoonTon said:

When a really terrible manager leaves, at least there's always the hope of someone better coming along. There wasn't much hope when Macpherson left but at least he was gone. We had just gone through a combination of McKinnon-Johansson-Hopkin-McElhone-MacPherson, so Imrie's arrival was an incredible turnaround from what we'd suffered through. There was a feeling when Duffy left that he had taken us as far as he could and it was time for something fresh - but it took a few backwards steps to finally move forward again.

I'm not really sure what I want from a new manager right now. You'd think if it's not Davies then it's maybe a younger head coach who's hands on in training - cause it's not going to be a manager who gets to bring an assistant to do the work on the training ground like Millen did. That maybe takes away some of the more experienced options like Murray. 

 

This is also what gives me pause about the guys currently with part-time clubs, like McEndoe - it really is going to need to be someone who's on the training ground first thing in the morning, five days a week.

[Greacen2000]

my thoughts on the names I have heard mentioned - 

McCabe - Did a great job getting them up & into the playoffs in their first season, plus the challenge cup win.  This is the kind of success that a club like us need to be aiming for.  On the flipside, they were lucky not to get relegated last season and I for one am a bit jaded by the "good footballing side" inspired Imrieball v2.0 so not really up for getting more of the same under another manager 

Murray - Has a good record at this level & was unlucky to be sacked by Raith.  Would be a solid if uninspiring appointment.  Also not sure if he would be up for coming down here anyway

Doolan - He too was unlucky to be sacked after leading them to successive playoffs and with the team sitting 4th.  Possibly a victim of particks delusions of grandeur.  On paper his record with them suggests he could be a good appointment for us, but on the other hand during those years with partick he probably had a top 2-3 budget (which wont be the case here) so not sure about him

Kennedy - allegedly "a great coach" etc etc who many expected to eventually become sellic manager.  Could be great but could also be an absolute disaster.  Would be a bit of an Imrie style appointment in that he is an unknown quantity as a manager but has good coaching pedigree.  Would also bring the marginal benefits of good contacts for transfer/loan deals etc as well as probably being viewed favourably by the media.  Is that enough to give him the gig? Probably not.  Would he leave his job in Thailand to have a crack at managing in the Championship?  Probably not

McIndoe - As others have said, he has shown an ability to get the most out of limited resources so could be a good Imrie replacement in that sense.  On the other hand, is he ready to step up to championship level with a full time club?  Would be a risky appointment but so was Imrie and it paid off for the most part

Naysmith - Wasn't great with queens or Edinburgh but has done really well with Stenny.  Is this him improving as a manager or has he just found his level?

Davidson - Incredible achievement winning the cup double with saints, but it went downhill from there pretty badly.  Queens park didn't work out for him either, but they actually didn't get any better after sacking him (only picking up 2 points from their last 7 games) and it could be argued that he was in a difficult situation with the club being a bit of a basket case off the park and having a squad full of "elite academy" youngsters etc.

Of these candidates, I would probably have Murray, Mcindoe & Davidson as my top 3.  In addition to that will also throw in a couple of mental suggestions - 

Jobby McCall - his spell at Clyde was a disaster but prior to that he has a pretty solid record at Championship level and has shown he has an eye for a player.  Maybe has unfinished business here after a spell in charge during the HS era early in his managerial career.  I know he wouldn't be a popular appointment but I have always quite liked him and would be up for it just for a laugh

Warnock - This would be either box office or car crash (or both).  Could be amazing but probably just as likely to be Aberdeen levels of terrible.  It is well known that he has a soft spot for the club, spends a lot of time up here & has a place in Dunoon so maybe a crack at the Scottish Championship with us would be enough to tempt him out of retirement.

 

 

Edited November 26, 2025 by Greacen2000

[Cet Homme Charmant]

6 hours ago, Gordon Ritchie said:

I worked closely with Dougie during his time at the club, and I think it’s a mistake to let him leave

Don't think they had much choice, to be fair. If an employee is determined to leave and can't be persuaded otherwise, there's no point in standing in his way. At least this way we'll be entitled to compensation (I assume).