SACKED Stranraer manager Alex McAnespie was still in shock last night at how he was told he was no longer wanted by the Stair Park club.
He said: ``Eight years the manager of Stranraer, and I am sacked in the car park at Stirling. What a way to treat anyone. I was taken aside in the car park and told the news before the team bus left.''
McAnespie had just watched his side lose 2-0 to second division leaders Stirling Albion, with Tommy Tait and Steve McCormick on target.
At home in Ayrshire, McAnespie said: ``Tell me, what have Stranraer done in their history.
``I have given them credibility and success during the time I have been at the club. I have been there eight years, but before I arrived they were changing their manager every year. The players who won promotion to the first division were too old the following year, and we were relegated.
``But I have been letting the older players go out the door with dignity - more than their manager got - as I had a lot of respect for them.
``We are now in a transition period, but I am certain that Stranraer will stay up. At least seven of the players are under 23, and that is a step forward for the club, as well as planning for the future.
``Any neutral coming into the game yesterday would have seen very little between the teams. Indeed, we hit a post and missed another good chance which would have put us two ahead.
``I know that the committee has the right to decide who will be their manager, but at this moment, I am numb and disappointed, and over the next week, I will be taking stock. But I do not believe I have failed in any way. I have learned my trade at Stranraer and I don`t want to be out of the game.''
Stranraer chairman Graham Rodgers said: ``It is regrettable that this decision had to be made, but nowadays results are so important.''
Coach Robert Reilly will take charge while the search goes on for a successor.
q.KILMARNOCK'S Ghanian trialists Steve Baidoo and Sammy Adjei will find out today if they have a future in Scotland.
The pair, who were on a two-week trial, should have been told last week if either of them would be offered the final non-EC place and stay at Rugby Park. However, work commitments meant a number of directors could not make the meetings scheduled for last Monday and Thursday.
But the Killie board will meet manager Alex Totten today to decide the future of the international stars.
Full-back Adjei and midfielder general Baidoo have been at the club for the last three weeks and played against Rangers and Falkirk reserves.
Both looked comfortable and assured in action and Totten said: ``They have mixed very well with the other players and, to be honest, things couldn't have better for them.''
The interest surrounding their arrival brought a turnout of more than 10,000 fans for the two matches.
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