Hartson turns down Shire job
John Hartson has turned down the chance to become manager of Irn-Bru Third Division side East Stirlingshire.
The former Celtic striker recently retired from playing after leaving West Brom.
East Stirlingshire had hoped to present Welshman Hartson as their new boss by the middle of this week.
However the 32-year-old rejected the chance to go into management following talks with officials from the Falkirk-based club.
Director Spencer Fearn revealed: “He says he can’t accept, but he was very complimentary about the club.”
Hartson told The Scottish Sun: “It had nothing to do with the fact that it was East Stirling – if it was the Motherwell job or Dunfermline job I was being offered I would probably have given the same answer.
“I had loads of friends tell me it would be a great challenge for me and I was sorely tempted to accept the offer.
“But the timing is just not right for me at the moment.”
Swansea-based Hartson is not a qualified coach but plans to gain his first badges in the summer with the Welsh FA.
East Stirling will keep John Brownlie in caretaker charge. Brownlie took over when Gordon Wylde resigned last Thursday.
