Robbo delighted to be back as Stenhousemuir step in

Jul 23 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

TWELVE weeks after being mysteriously suspended by Livingston chairman Angelo Massone, Graeme Robertson is back at work.

The former Head of Youth Development at Almondvale helped mould the likes of James McPake, Graham Dorrans, Robert Snodgrass and Leigh Griffiths from youth team prospects to top-team stars who are all now knocking on the door of international honours.

But in April Robbo and first-team manager Paul Hegarty were both suspended for reasons which as yet remain unknown.

Livingston’s loss has however become Stenhousemuir’s gain as the Second Division club have appointed the ex-Queen of the South, Dunfermline Athletic, Partick Thistle and Ayr United player as their new Head of Youth Development.

And Roberston admits he is thrilled to be back involved with the game he loves.

He said: “I didn’t have any option but to take another job due to the situation at Livingston.

“I can’t say a lot about that at the moment until everything is sorted out, but I can say I’m delighted with the chance to get back to football with Stenhousemuir.

“Campbell Money has started a new post with the SFA and he recommended me for the post due to my success and experience with Livingston.

“It is a full-time position and it is one I’m thrilled to be involved with. It is great to be back working with young players which is what I love doing.”

Robertson started his new post on Monday where he will attempt to unearth some potential stars at Ochilview.

During his time in West Lothian he helped develop some of Scotland’s top prospects and he reckons the youth set-up at Livingston was the backbone of the club.

He continued: “The best thing about Livingston in the last couple of years was the young players coming through the ranks. I would even say the development of the youngsters saved the club.

“Clearly, they didn’t do that on their own but without the youth system the Livingston first team wouldn’t have existed.

“The only way young players get better is by playing first team football which they were getting at Almondvale, and playing alongside great professionals like Roddy McKenzie, Chris Innes, Liam Fox and Tony McParland only helped them further.

“I’d like to thank the Livingston support, who were always brilliant. And the young players I worked with won a League and Cup double last season, which was a great achievement and proved the structure at Livingston was strong – but it is a different question now.”