East Stirlingshire boss Callum Tapping has revealed that he only put the playing boots back on after he got the go-ahead from his squad.

The 32-year-old, who joined the Ochilview strugglers back in September, has recently brought himself into the Shire starting eleven and has taken on a new role as player-boss to bring some much-needed experience to the middle of the park.

Veteran defender Mark Docherty also recently left the club, moving to Scottish League Two side Dumbarton to become their new assistant manager.

And with that in mind, Tapping told the Falkirk Herald that he felt it was the right to call to get back out on the park as he looks to lift his team off bottom spot in the Scottish Lowland Football League.

East Stirlingshire player-boss Callum Tapping in action (Photo: Michael Gillen)

placeholder image — East Stirlingshire player-boss Callum Tapping in action (Photo: Michael Gillen)

"I’m only 32, I should really still be playing,” he said. “Injuries have been a massive issue for me and my body hasn’t let me continue my career over the past couple of years. I need to watch what I am doing but this is the right call I feel.

“It was important to involve the players. I had a good chat with the group around three weeks ago and made sure that they were okay with it. I just felt that my experience on the park would help us in the short term over the winter months.

"I’m the manager but I felt it was right to get an okay from the players rather than just telling them that I was going to start myself! I want to be a manager. I just feel that I can offer something on the park too at the moment, especially with Sparky (Mark Docherty) away.”

Tapping added: “Mark’s been a brilliant servant to the Shire since he joined. The chance to become an assistant at an SPFL club is one you cannot turn down, especially working under a manager he knows well. We wouldn’t hold anyone back.”

The Shire battled back last Saturday but lost out 3-2 at home to Stirling University (Photo: Michael Gillen)

The gaffer grabbed a goal last Saturday but a second-half comeback against Stirling University couldn’t halt the Shire’s horrid league run. They lost 3-2 at home and now sit five points adrift.

"Things just aren’t falling for us,” Tapping said. “We made some mistakes in the first half but the second half was outstanding. We pinned them back and should have picked up at least a draw. It was gutting for the boys.”

The Shire now host third-placed Broxburn Athletic on Saturday, December 27.