The 44-year-old former Morton boss will take charge of the Firs Park team immediately alongside his previous assistant at Cappielow, Martin Clark.

McInally resigned from his post at the Greenock club last month after three-and-a-half years in charge.

He guided the team back to the First Division last season after a hiatus of six years but, despite a good start, they lay ninth in the table when he left.

However, according to Shire director Spencer Fearne, McInally and Clark were by far the best choice after interviewing other candidates, including John Hartson and Noel Whelan.

"We met on Tuesday and I was very impressed indeed," said Fearne.

"Jim has a lot of enthusiasm and is very keen to get back into football. He had a lot of success at Morton and knows the game very well indeed.

"Both he and Martin see Shire as a big challenge and want to have a real go at making the play-offs next season. They are definitely up for it.

"That is something we wanted this year but it hasn't happened. We also went bottom of the table this week and that is simply not acceptable.

"We have ambitions here and want to get up the league as soon as possible."

McInally will be in the dug-out at Firs Park this weekend when champions-elect East Fife visit Firs Park.

He couldn't ask for a bigger challenge either, as the Methil side will bring hundreds of fans to Falkirk in anticipation of clinching the ONE point they need to secure the Third Division flag.

Fearne went on: "East Fife could clinch the title on Saturday and we'll wait and see if they do that.

"However, afterwards, we have some very winnable games coming up.

"Jim has a good squad of players here already and I think this appointment will lift them so we don't finish bottom.

"Money will be made available for loan signings as well, should he wish to bring anyone in.

"We are also hopeful that the fans are excited by this appointment and a few more will come through the gates."

Former Dundee United midfielder McInally will take training tonight (Thursday) when he will familarise himself with his new charges for the challenge ahead.

Forfar's surprise midweek win over Arbroath has left Shire three points adrift at the foot of the table and they may not be in the best shape to do anything about that on Saturday.

Injuries to top scorers Joe Savage and Andrew Brand made them doubts for the postponed game on Tuesday evening against Dumbarton and Gary Kelly, David King and Graham Smith have all been nursing knocks this week.

So club physio Iain MacIver may be the busiest man at Firs Park between now and Saturday trying to patch the team up for a big game, which East Fife will certainly be up for.

Shire ran the Fifers close the last time they met. It took a penalty kick in the third minute of injury time to secure a 1-0 victory – just the kind of luck you get when you are top of the league.

However, Shire showed no inferiority complex that day and when McInally takes charge he will do well to remind the players of that.

But, realistically, the Firs Parkers will be looking to the next two midweek fixtures, away at Elgin City next Wednesday, and at home to Dumbarton the following Tuesday, as the best way of clawing back the gap.