SACKED Selkirk manager Steve Forrest believes he can hold his head high after two years at Yarrow Park.

The team he adopted during 2013/14 was languishing at the bottom of the Lowland League - having failed to win a single match in six months.

Although he never lifted any trophies during his first senior managerial job, Forrest did bring in several big signings and established the team as a mid-table outfit.

Speaking exclusively from Mallorca, where he is currently on holiday, Steve told the Border Telegraph: "I am happy with what I did at the club. It didn't always go to plan, like the French players leaving last season, but we have seen progress.

"I liked Selkirk, I liked the people at the club and I got on well with the supporters - even the ones that gave me stick.

"I am naturally disappointed, not only to lose the job but not to be able to finish the job that I'd started. We have only lost one of our last five games and I do believe we would have finished in the top four this season."

The former Cowdenbeath and Hibernian youth coach relies on players and backroom staff for transport as he doesn't drive.

And the lack of a licence has proved problematic with tardiness at training.

The problems came to a head on Tuesday as the first team and newly reformed Under 20s were due to train in Edinburgh ahead of this weekend's matches.

With Forrest on holiday, new coach Joe Brown was to take the training session and one of the players was to collect the equipment and balls - unfortunately for Forrest the player took ill and training was eventually cancelled.

On Wednesday morning Selkirk chairman Ross Anderson contacted his manager in Mallorca to break the news that he'd been sacked.

Steve added: "It was my first holiday in five years and I was relying on others to keep things going when I was away.

"I am just about to start my UEFA A Licence so I will continue coaching. I don't think I've done a bad job at Selkirk."

One of Forrest's big signings last summer, Garry O'Connor, will take charge of the team for tomorrow's (Saturday's) match against Gretna with experienced defender Conan McDiarmid acting as his assitant.

Chairman Ross Anderson won't rush into finding a permanent replacement.

He told us: "We will  take our time and the find the right manager to take the club forward.

"Selkirk is already a good Lowland League club and we want someone with the ambition to take us further.

"We would all like to thank Steve for the commitment and work he did at Selkirk."

Selkirk's match with Gretna at Yarrow Park kicks off at 2pm.