Former Hearts and Hibs star Alan Maybury has been placed on gardening leave by Stirling Albion for the remaining five games of the Scottish League Two season.

The club’s hierarchy have made the decision only days after their crucial 1-0 win over Maybury’s old side, Edinburgh City. The former Republic of Ireland international spent four years at Tynecastle in the early 2000s and would later move to Hibs during the twilight years of his playing days.

The Binos were winless in five prior to the victory over Edinburgh, a run of results which saw them slide down to eighth in the table. Only the capital side and Dumbarton remain below them in the fourth tier, however, the pair of them have both been subject of points deductions. Maybury’s former assistant, Tony McMinn, will now take charge until the end of the season.

A Stirling Albion statement read: “The club can confirm this evening that Alan Maybury has been informed his contract will not be extended at the end of the season and has been placed on gardening leave. Tony McMinn has been asked to form an interim management team until the end of the season. A further update will follow in due course.”

The 47-year old was coming to the end of his contract at the Forthbank Stadium but has now left with immediate effect. He replaced Darren Young as Albion boss in June 2024 after the club were relegated to Scottish League Two. The Binos finished a steady sixth last season but haven’t been able to kick on.

Maybury came to the club with a reputation having helped Edinburgh City to promotion in his previous managerial role. The Irishman steered the Citizens to promotion to League One in the 2021/22 campaign via the playoffs, when they defeated Annan Athletic in dramatic fashion over two legs. Before that, he was former Liverpool man Harry Kewell’s assistant at Oldham Athletic.

Club Chairman, Fraser McIntyre said: “Alan joined us in a difficult period following our relegation from League 1. Whilst these decisions are never easy, we believe this is the right step for the club at this time. I would like to place on record my thanks to Alan for his efforts and commitment and wish him all the best going forward.”

McMinn will now take charge for the remainder of the season, starting with Clyde away on Saturday. It will be a tough start for the newly appointed interim boss against a side who are eyeing a play off place. At the other end of the table, Albion can perhaps count themselves fortunate that Edinburgh City received a 15-point deduction at the start of the season for failing to pay their players. They currently sit 14 points ahead of their capital rivals in the standings.

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