Scot to manage Gibraltar against Tartan Army

DAVID Wilson, a former defender with junior side Kilwinning Rangers, will be Gibraltar’s manager for their trip to Scotland later this month.

The coach was assistant manager to Allen Bula, until the Iberian Peninsula nation surprisingly axed him this week.

Scot Wilson will be the man in charge of UEFA’s newest nation when they face Gordon Strachan’s side at Hampden in a European Championship qualifier.

The Gibraltar FA said: “We are delighted to announce that David Wilson will take over as interim head coach for the upcoming European qualifier against Scotland at Hampden Park on the 29 March 2015.

“Mr Wilson has been Gibraltar’s assistant manager in recent years and has played an important role in the preparation of the national team in all of its fixtures since the first official international fixture versus Slovakia in November 2013.”

He will be assisted by former Lincoln Red Imps manager, Michael McElwee, for the clash.

Wilson was a right-back for the Ayrshire junior side in the 1990s before quitting the game at 19 to join the navy. He then became involved in coaching while in the navy based in Gibraltar and was, remarkably, asked to get involved in coaching the national team when he became friends with Bula.

But there is no chance of split loyalties for Wilson. Before the draw that paired Scotland and Gibraltar together was even made, he admitted: “My brother asked me the other night where my loyalties would lie if it happened and I reassured him in no uncertain terms it would be with Gibraltar. He wasn’t too happy!”

The 40-year-old Wilson will name his squad to play Scotland on Tuesday.

The Gibraltar FA hopes to name a permanent coach ahead of the visit of Germany to Faro on 13 June.