Vale begin life under Novo with unique training night

Nacho Novo began his reign as Darvel manager by taking his squad for midweek training in familiar surroundings.

The former Rangers striker took his first session with the East Ayrshire club on Wednesday evening on the astroturf pitch of Ibrox Football Centre, in the shadow of the Premiership giant’s stadium.

A post from the Vale’s X page showed various images and clips of the squad being put through their paces under the floodlights in Govan with the caption “New Era Begins”.

Now Ayrshire exclusively broke the news on Saturday that the Spaniard was stepping into the vacant position at Recreation Park following the departure of Michael Oliver in the wake of a heavy 4-1 home defeat to Irvine Meadow on 11 October.

Speaking to the club’s media, Novo believes the Irvine Valley club should be aiming “to the top” under his management.

He said: “This is a family club who do a lot in the community, and the ambition is winning and getting higher in the league obviously with the position we are in now.

“Two or three games could get us there. It is nothing major, but we are going to need to start winning to try and take us to the top.”

“This is the sort of job I am excited about when it is part of a family club.”

46-year-old Novo has recently shown his coaching credentials being part of the backroom staff at Premier Division side Drumchapel United in 2024 in addition to an assistant role in the United States with Lexington Sporting Club in 2022.

His playing days at Rangers between 2004 and 2010, where he made over 170 appearances, saw him serve under the management of the likes of Alex McLeish and Walter Smith.

Novo will take to the dugout for the first time with the 2024 Junior Cup winners this Saturday afternoon as they travel to face Ardrossan Winton Rovers in North Ayrshire.

The Vale currently sit 14th in the First Division following relegation from the top tier of the West of Scotland League last season and are winless in their previous six competitive games.