Salford Turn to McRae

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Salford Turn to McRae



Lowly Super League side Salford City Reds have confirmed the appointment of Australian Shaun McRae as their new coach.

The former St Helens and Hull boss has signed a four and a half year deal at the Willows, as he looks to save the ailing club.

Salford are rooted to the bottom of the table, with 11 regular season matches remaining, and have taken just nine points from 16 games so far.

The Reds enjoyed a break from the league because of the Carnegie Challenge Cup at the weekend, so McRae's first match comes at home to Harlequins on Friday night.

Steve Simms had taken the caretaker role following the sacking of Karl Harrison in mid-May, and it is not yet clear whether he will return to his role of assistant coach.

Chairman John Wilkinson said: "I'd like to welcome Shaun to his new position as head coach at Salford.

"We feel that with 11 crucial games to play that this is a very important signing for the club.

"We felt we had to make a signing of a person with vast experience and an enviable track record and I am positive everybody will get behind him and we can complete the season on a high note."

McRae's contract means he will remain in charge even if Salford are relegated from Super League this season, and he insists he is confident of the club's future.

"It is two-fold - there is the immediate situation and there is the future of the club," said McRae.

"I was very impressed with what I heard with regards to the future.

"When the new stadium is built and the team are playing there it will be a major boost for the club - but I understand there is a massive job before that."

With 11 games to save Salford's Super League status, McRae believes there is enough talent in the squad at the Willows to keep them up.

"With 11 games remaining we will have to win the majority of them to go past somebody," he added.

"I don't think we can place a game percentage on that but clearly it needs to improve - nine points out of 16 indicates there has to be some improvement.

"Other clubs can have a say but really your destiny lies in your own hands. You can only control what your team can do.

"We have to continue to work hard and utilise the talent at this club - and clearly there is a lot of talent. That was proved when they reached the play-offs last year."

Credit - BBC Sport