KELTY HEARTS have confirmed the appointment of former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson as manager.

The 40-year-old has this afternoon been officially announced by the New Central Park club as the successor to Thomas Courts, who resigned last Thursday.

Ferguson held talks with Kelty officials on Sunday and was offered the post after being identified as their top target.

After considering their proposal, the ex-Rangers midfielder has accepted the position and will officially take charge next week.

A statement from the club read: "Kelty Hearts Football Club are delighted to announce Barry Ferguson as our new first team manager.

"Barry will start fully on Tuesday where he will take his first training session, where he will be assisted by Bob Malcolm, Murray McDowell and Dave McNeely.

"A big thanks must go to Murray, Dave and the senior players for taking the team the last seven days. They will continue to do so tonight and for Saturday's big match."

Ferguson, who won 45 caps for Scotland, will be assisted by ex-Ibrox team-mate Malcolm, who briefly turned out for Cowdenbeath at the end of his playing career.

Kelty, who are top of the Lowland League, were stunned by the resignation of Courts, who had been in charge for five years.

In that time, he had led them to two East Region Super League titles before they quit junior football last season to move to the East of Scotland League.

After winning the division, they secured promotion to the Lowland League - one tier below SPFL League Two - with a play-off win over South of Scotland League champions, Threave Rovers.

Kelty said they had "reluctantly accepted" Courts' resignation, but have moved quickly to secure his replacement.

Ferguson has been out of the game since leaving his first managerial position with Clyde in February last year, and yesterday said: "I spoke with a couple of clubs over the last seven to ten days. I’ve decided one just matched the ambition.

“It took me aback if I’m honest, it blew me away. But I’ve got things going on outside in terms of media and commitments going into next summer.

“So I’ve had to go away and try to sort them out. They’ve been good enough to let me do that. Nothing has been agreed, I’m still talking to them.

“Over the 16 months I’ve been out of management I’ve had various offers to go back in but has made me that excited and get that bit between my teeth.

“Out of respect I spoke to clubs. I went to speak to them and their ambition and drive didn’t shock me but it was right up my street.

“They’ve given me time to go away and try to sort out stuff I’ve got organised over the next six to eight months.

“I’m not going to keep them holding on. There will be an answer before the end of the week.”

He added: “They have got a full pathway through the club from 5-year-olds to 20s, they have got a successful 20s team, they have just started a woman’s team, they are revamping their full pitch, as you probably know.

“They have got planning to build two new stands and they have got a clear vision of where they want to go. Other clubs I spoke to didn’t have a clear vision.

“It is about taking them to where they want to go and they want to be the best they can be.

“It just ticked the boxes for me. I have not given an answer yes, I have not given a no.

“I had to go away and sort a few things out. Over the next 24, 48 hours there will be a decision made.

“I have got to say that the way it is run, the board and the chairman, I was really impressed with them.”

During two spells with Rangers, Ferguson won five league, Scottish Cup and League Cup gongs, and had spells in England with Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and Blackpool before being appointed as Clyde manager in 2014.

After a sixth place finish in his first season, he led the Bully Wee to third place in League Two in 2015/16 and to the League One play-off final, in which they were beaten by Queen’s Park, before leaving his post during his third campaign in charge.

Ahead of Ferguson taking over, Kelty travel to Peterhead this Saturday in the second round of the William Hill Scottish Cup, a fixture that will be overseen by McDowell and McNeely.