Lauchlan explains reasons for Rossvale exit

The shock departure of Lauchlan and his assistant Carlo Girasoli by ‘mutual consent’ was announced by the club on Sunday night.

A club source said matters came to a head at a meeting following the club’s win over Lesmahagow on Saturday when Lauchlan “didn’t like” questions being asked of him by committee members.

It’s understood the manager revealed his intention to step down at the end of the season.

But following a committee meeting the following day it was agreed that an immediate parting of the ways would be best for all concerned.

A club spokesman said: “We had our meeting with him on Saturday after the game and had a few questions to ask him but he didn’t like the questions being asked.

“He said his heart wasn’t in it and he would be stepping down at the end of the season.

“The committee met on Sunday and decided it would be best if his resignation was accepted now rather than continue until the end of the season with a manager whose heart wasn’t in it.

“The focus is now on looking ahead and everyone pulling together to try to make sure we achieve promotion.”

However Lauchlan said he had been forced into his decision because he wasn’t being allowed to do the job the way he wanted.

He said: “I wasn’t prepared to put up with team interference from the committee any more.

“Under the circumstances I think I have taken the club as far as I can and couldn’t work under those conditions.

Lauchlan said he wanted to stress he had no axe to grind with club chairman Ian Grey.

He said: “It was a great opportunity which Ian Grey gave me and I’d like to show my appreciation of that.

“I was willing to stay on until the end of the season and would have liked to see things through but the committee decided it would be best if I left now.

“I am proud of the job I have done. When I took over Rossvale were second bottom of the Second Division and had no players.

“We won promotion last season and are chasing it again this season and got to the last 16 of the Scottish Cup and did well in the West. We also worked hard to develop the pathways for the under-17s, under-19s and under-21s.

“There is a good squad there and I would have liked to have stayed to finish the job, but we move on and it’s down to the players now to make sure they go up.”

Lauchlan and Girasoli guided the club, who only joined the junior ranks in 2011, to the Central Second Division title last season and to contention for a second successive promotion and a place in the Super League this season.

The Bishopbriggs club, who recently tempted former Celtic winger Bobby Petta out of retirement, have only lost two league games all season and currently sit third in the First Division table, seven points behind leaders Renfrew but with three games in hand.

‘Vale also reached the last 16 of the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time in their history before bowing out at the hands of 2014 winners Hurlford.

A club statement said: “It is with regret that Rosvale FC has to announce the parting by mutual consent our manager Martin Lauchlan and assistant coach Carlo Girasoli.

“We would like to thank the coaches for all the time and effort they have put into taking our club to great heights in their short reign at Rossvale FC.

“Without a doubt they have assembled together a very young and hungry squad of players who will, I am sure, carry on their good work and push on towards yet another successful season for the club.

“The decision made today was not taken lightly in respect of all the great work that has been done by the coaches. And of course helping to bring through some of the best youth players available within Rossvale FC.

“From everyone at Rossvale FC we thank you again for playing your part in putting our very small club on the map within junior football and we are sure that it will not be long before you are back doing what you do best.”