Andy Kirk starts strong as new Assistant Manager of St Johnstone
- The UEFA Pro Licence holder’s new role will see him team up with ex-Scotland, Hearts, and Dundee United boss Craig Levein
Former Hearts forward and Northern Ireland international Andy Kirk has been appointed assistant manager of Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.
The UEFA Pro Licence holder’s new role will see him team up with ex-Scotland, Hearts, and Dundee United boss Craig Levein, who is now first-team manager at St Johnstone. Since 2021 and until his appointment at St Johnstone, Kirk had been manager of Brechin City, where Levein worked as a club adviser.
In addition to Kirk’s work with Brechin City — which saw the club secure the 2022/23 Highland Football League title — the Football Careers client has amassed coaching experience in both Academy and first-team environments at clubs across Scotland.
Before his coaching journey took him to the Scottish Highlands, Kirk spent more than five years with his former club, Edinburgh giants Hearts. After joining the club as U17 Head Coach in 2016, Kirk would go on to hold various roles within Hearts’ Academy, men’s, and women’s programmes. He has also lent his coaching expertise to Rangers and the Scottish FA Performance School.
Kirk’s transition into coaching came after a 16-year professional playing career that saw him chalk up 11 caps for Northern Ireland, as well as more than 500 club appearances and 164 goals.
Kicking off his playing career with Belfast’s Glentoran under Roy Coyle in 1998, Kirk scored 26 league goals in his first season and quickly became one of the top strikers in the Irish League.
A move to Hearts in 1999 marked the beginning of a five-year spell at the club, before a contract with Boston United — who competed in EFL League Two at the time — took Kirk to England in 2004.
Kirk went on to play for Northampton Town and Yeovil Town during his time in England then returned to Scotland in 2008 to join Dunfermline Athletic, where he would score 51 goals over a five-year stint. He spent his final playing days at Alloa Athletic and since hanging up his boots in 2014, he has been developing and honing his craft as a coach.
Levein and Kirk’s first match in charge saw St Johnstone draw 2-2 with Motherwell, and their 11th November fixture with Ross County ended with a 1-0 win for Levein and Kirk’s side.
St Johnstone faced Kirk’s former club Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday 25th November, and a 61st-minute goal from Lawrence Shankland gave the Jambos a 1-0 victory. Levein and Kirk are now gearing up to take on Celtic at home on 3rd December.