BARRY FERGUSON reckons he is older and wiser heading into his next managerial position as he prepares himself for a hectic start to life in League One with Alloa Athletic.

Ferguson quit as boss of Kelty Hearts just days after leading them into the fourth tier of Scottish football as he accepted the chance to succeed Peter Grant at the Indodrill Stadium.

The Rangers legend started his coaching career with Blackpool seven years ago before joining Clyde and he will now be tasked with leading Alloa back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Ferguson admitted the time was right to leave Kelty this summer and he is relishing a new challenge as he embarks on the next stage of his career in Clackmannanshire.

Ferguson said: "I built a really good team there over two-and-a-half years. They have done a lot for me, I am thankful for that and they know that.

"But time moves on and I have got to make decisions in my life and I just thought the right decision was to leave Kelty. There is no better place to leave them than when you put them into the SPFL.

"Kelty was a full-time job. In management, it is 24/7. Now as I have got a wee bit older and, should I say it, matured a bit, I have learned to deal with it and learned to switch off.

"I have got to switch off because I am intense. I am intense as a manager. I have learned over the last couple of years to take a day or two off at times.

"The next three weeks are going to be hectic. I am going to take this weekend off but I will be in on Monday morning.

"There are a core group here that I am really happy with and I need to try and build on that. I need to get in quickly because I know a lot of clubs are after these players.

"That is going to be the tough part but that is the job of a manager."