Moore refusing to get worked up over potential move to Morton

Published on Friday 16 October 2009 22:54

LESSONS learned as a player, unsurprisingly, have shaped Allan Moore's management philosophy. They also ensure he regards speculation over his own future as nothing more than that.

Moore could quite conceivably be managing Stirling Albion for the final time at Stenhousemuir this afternoon; his seven-year stint would surely come to an end if Morton and a full-time post comes calling.

Moore is believed to be one of three external names at the forefront of the Cappielow chairman Derek Rae's thoughts meaning events at Greenock today could be more pivotal to Albion's immediate future than what happens at Ochilview. If Morton beat free-spending Dundee, after all, there is every chance the caretaker manager James Grady will simply be kept in position.

Moore has made it privately clear he would relish a return to full-time football, but is not losing any sleep over that, or any other potential new job.

"Jobs have been mentioned in the past for me and nothing has ever materialised so I don't worry about it, there is no point worrying about it," he explained yesterday. "I have a good job at Cumbernauld College, lecturing there, and I enjoy my work at Stirling just now. If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't have lasted seven years at it. Things have been up and down at Stirling but mostly up."

It is, indeed, a surprise to many that a step up has not been forthcoming for the amiable Moore before now. He took over in Stirling with the club languishing in the lower reaches of the Third Division; they have been as high as the First Division and currently sit five points clear at the summit of the Second Division.

"We discovered in the First Division before that, given we lack the financial clout of the other teams, life can be very difficult," Moore said. "But that's not something we ever complained about and we want to get back there for next season."

This year's early run is all the more impressive given consistent and, at times, vociferous attempts by a supporters' group to buy the club from the current chairman, Peter McKenzie. Thus far, the owner has been reluctant to sell, but Moore believes he will not be at the helm for much longer.

"The boys and myself are all pretty used to that; it seems like off-field stuff has been going on since I came to the club," said Moore. "But I think this year the chairman means it (that he will sell] – he has stressed that to me."

Moore's playing career arguably never reached the heights it promised to do after Hearts prized him from Dumbarton in 1986. His most successful spells were at St Johnstone and Dunfermline Athletic; promises of better days which never materialised have in part shaped his views of a management job elsewhere.

"Celtic were linked with me and so were Charlton Athletic, but nothing ever came of it, but what's for you won't go past you – what is the point of looking back?" he asked.

Alex MacDonald, then manager at Tynecastle, was a crucial influence on Moore. "I didn't feel I got enough of a chance at Hearts," he said. "The manager used to keep saying 'horses for courses' to me and it drove me wild, but now I realise he was right.

"I went to work with him again at Airdrie and his attitude, his work ethic, was such a major thing. I have tried to use that for myself. Here we want to do everything at high tempo and with skill, but it is so important to have the right working attitude."

MacDonald was among those whose counsel Moore sought back in 2002. He had originally attended an interview for the Under-19s management job at Forthbank, only to be offered the first-team role.

"I was a bit anxious at first, but the people I spoke to all said the same thing, that I might not get another opportunity and I should take this one. It has worked out well, but a manager is only as good as his players; I have been lucky through relationships I built up in my playing days to have had the likes of Scott McLean, George Rowe, Stevie Mallan, Mark McNally, Robert Snodgrass and Derek Lyle here at different times.

"This season, for the first time, I have had two coaches with me in John O'Neill and Roddy Grant. That has been a big help, not least having Roddy to take the strikers for specialised training."

Moore's next tip for the top is Martin Grehan, who he personally talked out of a summer move to Raith Rovers. "I felt he could further his career by staying with us; if he keeps doing what he is doing, he will get his big move."

Prophetic words, and ones which also apply to Moore himself.