McIntyre is new Queen of the South manager

Jim McIntyre is the new Queen of the South boss. Picture: SNS

Johnston had guided the Doonhamers to the Second Division title and the Ramsdens Cup before moving to Rugby Park earlier this week and the Palmerston Park board view 41-year-old McIntyre as the ideal replacement.

McIntyre said: “I was delighted to receive the call to come here as this is a fantastic opportunity for me. Allan Johnston and Sandy Clark put together a squad that is strong enough to compete in the First Division. It is a league I know well and it is a league full of evenly matched teams so I am looking forward to the new season.”

The former striker accepted the manager’s position at East End Park in 2008 after a spell as caretaker boss following Stephen Kenny’s dismissal.

In May 2011, McIntyre led Dunfermline to the First Division title, however he was dismissed the following March when his side were four points adrift at the foot of the SPL. McIntyre then went on to have a short period as a coach at Bristol City under Derek McInnes before the now-Aberdeen boss left Ashton Gate earlier this year.

It is now all about looking forward as McIntyre explained: “I am really pleased to be joining such a forward-thinking club. A new artificial pitch is being put down here and that adds to the potential of Queen of the South.

“The players will be quietly confident after doing so well last season and they will be looking forward to another good season. I am looking forward to adding my own stamp on things and helping them do that.”

A Queen’s board spokesperson said: “Jim is a young, experienced Manager who has an expansive attacking view on football. We are expecting him to build on the playing style of the current squad.”

The Dumfries side had also interviewed their former player Barry Wilson for the position, however he ruled himself out of the running. The 41-year-old, who is currently manager of Highland League Wick Academy, spoke to the Second Division champions on Wednesday however, due to family and business reasons, he distanced himself from the job.