WHAT are the qualities that are required to become a successful manager?
Authority? Composure? Passion? Whatever the answer, Paul Hartley appears to have it all in abundance.
Since taking charge of Alloa Athletic last May, the 35-year-old has tasted defeat on just seven occasions. Courtesy of this resounding 8-1 victory over Elgin City, as well as Clyde's 2-1 win against Stranraer, the club will be presented with the third division trophy on the last day of the season. How does the success measure up, though, to a man who spent so long at the highest level? "It's the best moment of my career," said Hartley, drenched in champagne. "I've won titles with Celtic, and a Scottish Cup with Hearts, but this is definitely up there."
Clackmannanshire may be a far cry from the likes of the Camp Nou, San Siro and Parc des Princes, but there's little doubt the veteran is enjoying life these days.
Having lost the first two games of the season, Hartley was under pressure from the start. Peterhead were installed as early favourites but John Sheran failed to rally his troops, and was shown the door as Alloa seized the initiative. Indeed, they would have won the accolade sooner, were it not for the free-scoring antics of Stranraer. Keith Knox's side are the joint-top scorers in Scottish football this season, on 72 goals along with Celtic, and had hoped to prolong their challenge, before dropping points on Saturday.
"We didn't want to take much of an interest in their result," insisted Stevie May, the on loan St Johnstone, who found the back of the net on no fewer than four occasions. "We just focused on our own game, and I thought we played some nice stuff.
"Working with the gaffer has been great. He's doing well, and you can tell he's played at a very high level. He really knows his stuff."
Elgin, for their part, remain in contention for a place in the play-offs. Ross Jack, the Moray side's manager, may have boarded the team bus without acknowledging the assembled press, but the 53-year-old can take some comfort from the fact that his side sit fourth in the table, five points clear of Annan Athletic.
Should they maintain their lofty position, Elgin will most likely face Stirling Albion, Albion Rovers or Forfar Athletic in the semi-finals. All three are involved in a dogfight at the foot of the second division – though that remains an irrelevance to Alloa; third division champions 2011/2012.
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