INVERKEITHING HILLFIELD SWIFTS have moved to fill their managerial vacancy by announcing the appointment of former Luncarty boss Jason McCrindle.

Last Thursday, the East of Scotland League, Premier Division outfit confirmed that McCrindle would fill the hotseat following Jason Dair's departure.

Earlier this month, former Dunfermline star Dair, who also coached with the Pars whilst Stevie Crawford was in charge, left the club after they "mutually agreed to part ways".

Chairman Craig Reid told Press Sport that they hoped to make a quick appointment, with the Swifts not returning to competitive action until December 2, and that they were "speaking to a few people".

One of the criteria the club were looking for was "to look internally to help identify and develop the players that are coming through" from their youth set-up, and McCrindle is the man they have turned to.

Luncarty, who are second bottom of the Premier Division, five points and two places below the Swifts, who sit immediately above the relegation zone, "regretfully" announced McCrindle's departure on November 10, and thanked him for his "contribution and efforts this season".

He led the Perthshire side on a run to the second round of the Scottish Cup, where they were knocked out by a single goal from Lowland League outfit, Bo'ness United.

McCrindle took his first training session with the Swifts last Thursday and then took charge of them for the first time in a friendly with Whitehill Welfare on Friday night, a match which ended in a 3-2 win.

He takes over from Dair, who was appointed in the summer, with his brother, Lee, working alongside him, after the departures of Craig Morrison, and his coaching team of Iain Mauchlen and Stuart Innes.

Having previously managed the likes of Oakley United and Dundonald Bluebell, Dair arrived after a spell at Hill of Beath Hawthorn, and oversaw three wins, two draws and eight losses during 13 league games in charge.

Reid said: "When we're playing and beating better teams, the likes of Sauchie, Dunbar and Dundonald, then we should be doing better against the teams round about us.

"We thought it was for the best going forward and to see if we can get a wee reaction."

McCrindle's first competitive game in charge is scheduled to be a local derby with Hill of Beath, at home, on December 2.