Dougie MacDuff insists he’s leaving Irvine Vics in safe hands ahead of a three-week break from the dugout.
The Westenders supremo is passing the reins to number two Sean Cryans and coach Peter Campbell as he embarks on a long-planned holiday.
MacDuff will miss three games starting with this weekend’s WoSFL Third Divsion trip to Parklea to face Port Glasgow.
And he’s backing his backroom team to keep Vics motoring after an impressive start to the season.
He said: “The time off is something I booked up before I came to the club so I’ll do my best to try and enjoy it!
“The boys will do fine. There’s no point having guys here if they can’t be trusted to take the reigns.
“They’ve worked with me long enough and they know what I’m all about and how passionate I am.
MacDuff admits his side’s defending will have to improve ahead of facing a Port side who have struggled for consistency.
Vics drew 3-3 at home to Lanark Utd last Saturday and shipped seven goals against Thorn Athletic the previous weekend.
He added: “From being resolute at the back and hard to beat - we’ve lost some silly goals.
“Teams in the bottom half of the league are picking a few points up then going back to bad ways again. We need to make sure we are at it.
“It’s important we go to Parklea and don’t get involved any sideshows. Discipline has got to be top drawer.”
MacDuff admits he’s considering bolstering his squad ahead of a tough winter period.
Striker Franny Kilpatrick left the club last week, with MacDuff citing ‘an internal matter’ as the reason for the surprise departure.
Vics have plenty of striking options but MacDuff will look to strengthen in a number of key positions.
He said: “We are a wee bit short of players to be honest.
“I need to get a couple of boys in. The recruitment has got to step up a bit.”
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