Philliskirk happy to help out

TONY Philliskirk will continue to help out with first-team matters from the background as new manager Lee Johnson beds himself in at Boundary Park.

Johnson (31), who was today looking to add to Athletic’s squad through the loan market, was denied the opportunity to try to secure his second win in charge after the scheduled game at Shrewsbury on Saturday was postponed due to snow.

Athletic now look towards turning the tables on second-placed Swindon on Good Friday.

In the absence of a new assistant arriving for Johnson, head of youth Philliskirk says he will continue to lend a hand as and when needed as the club bids to keep the feel-good factor going after the 3-0 win over Hartlepool which lifted Athletic out of the bottom-four.

transition

“I did ask Lee, did he want a clean break?” said Philliskirk. “But it was made clear to me that he wanted me to help make the transition simpler.

“The manager has asked me, for now, to still do a bit of coaching with the first-team.

“He is the manager and he makes the decisions — but I am happy to help and at the moment, that means he will be leaning on me on a day-to-day basis.

“I am here for the benefit of the club and the most important thing is that we stay up.”

While the appointment of Johnson came as a big surprise, Philliskirk — who had been in caretaker charge for the previous eight games in league and cup — speaks highly both of the manager and the decision of Athletic’s hierarchy.

“He is a very good, pleasant and respectful lad who has endeared himself to everyone at the club,” he said of the former Kilmarnock player.

“Lee has already brought one or two different ideas and great enthusiasm.

“But more than anything, it is the intensity of the work in training that has made the transition simple – as that is one area we really majored on.

“And the players have really bought into it.”
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