Montrose boss Paul Hegarty has admitted he is determined NOT to make history by becoming the first manager to be in charge of a club propelled out of the SPFL by losing a pyramid play-off.
The former Dundee United legend took over at Links Park from George Shields in February but was unable to prevent the Angus outfit from finishing bottom of League Two.
As “club 42” they now face a play-off to preserve their SPFL status against Highland League side Brora Rangers with the first leg taking place tomorrow at Dudgeon Park.
This is the first season the system has been in place and Hegarty has stressed he will do all he can to keep Montrose in senior football.
He said: “In terms of management it would be my biggest achievement ever.
“On the playing side it is different because I was playing at a much higher level.
“I have told the players I don’t want to be the first manager to take a senior club into the Highland League.
“I don’t want the players to be the first to do that either.
“I want Montrose to still be in the SPFL as there are a lot of good people there and great supporters.
“That was my sole aim when I took over with 11 games to go to keep them in that league.
“If I can do that with the help of my backroom staff, I would be chuffed to bits.”
Hegarty, of course, had a stellar career with United but he admitted there is a lingering regret that he was prevented from playing at the highest level in England.
Spurs showed an interest in him but Tangerines manager Jim McLean was determined he would not part with Hegarty or others in that legendary side.
He said: “In our day there was no Bosman rule. If your contract was up at the end of the season, the club still held your registration.
“The club had the chance to sell me to Spurs. I never had a say in it.
“It also happened to Davie Narey, Paul Sturrock and Maurice Malpas.
“If you ask me do I regret it, then yes I would have liked to have had a bash at it.
“I still had two years left on my contract and never got asked.
“I was told they were in for me but the club knocked them back.
“I might have been up the road within a year as I might not have been good enough but I would have sampled it and seen what I was like.
“At that time, Spurs had Ricky Villa, Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle and the rest of them.
“But it turned out that United then had a really successful period.
“I was a small part of that and it was great.
“I had a lovely time here, 16 years as a player. There were great people and we are all still friendly.
“That doesn’t happen too much in football now because of Bosman as people move on.”