I started with amateur football in Glasgow. I signed for Bishopton Thistle, then Aberdeen in 1968 and played with them for three years. But I had eight operations on my knee and the surgeons told me I would never play again. Then I returned home to Glasgow and had another two operations. I played for Partick Thistle, Clyde and East Stirling before my knee gave out when I was about twenty five or twenty six.
The new management team
I went up north and had a couple of seasons with Buckie Thistle (I was captain there) but my fitness level was poor because of the knee and I stopped playing. At twenty eight I became the youngest manager in the Highland League at Fraserburgh where I stayed for a couple of seasons (taking them from bottom to runners up).
Then I went to Aberdeen as youth coach for eight and a half years where I served under Alex Ferguson. Next came Keith in the Highland League where I was manager for a season then Peterhead before moving to Celtic for seven and a half years.
What did you do at Celtic?
I was responsible for everything at schoolboy level. It was my job to know about any boy who had potential. I was the only one who could sign them. Out of the current Scottish Under 17 team there are seven of the Celtic under 16 boys. That's the sort of thing we hope to do at Motherwell in the future.
What persuaded you to come to Fir Park - Eric Black?
No, I had been offered the job before Eric Black came here. I had worked with Eric at Aberdeen and at Celtic and knew the way he wanted to develop things, so I was very comfortable with his appointment.
At Motherwell you are in charge of all youth development up to age 18?
Yes. I'm also involved in scouting for the senior team.
How does Chris McCart fit in to the structure?
He is Under 18 Youth Coach. He is magnificent. I took him to Celtic where he worked with me at under 12 and under 16 levels and I was more than delighted when he agreed to come to work with me here because he is one of the best in the country.
The interview continues...