SCOTLAND’S youngest senior football manager has resigned on the eve of his team’s toughest game.

Kenny Aitchison was appointed manager of Hawick Royal Albert just six weeks ago.

The 24-year-old has seen his team lose its first four Lowland League games – including a 10-0 drubbing by neighbours Selkirk and a 7-0 hammering by Spartans – during his brief tenure.

Less than 48 hours before facing defending champions East Kilbride the sports science graduate stood down.

Hawick secretary Dougie Purves said: “This came totally out of the blue.

“We had been talking the previous evening about players coming in and other improvements we could make, then on Thursday afternoon Kenny called to resign.

“We’ve had a poor start to the season and we will accept Kenny’s resignation and thank him for the work he’s put in since coming to Albert Park.”

Aitchison, whose father Willie was appointed head coach of Airdrie this week, has cited work pressures for his decision.

Assistant manager Jamie Hamilton has also stepped down, leaving coach Andy Gibson to take the league’s bottom team for Saturday’s match at K Park.

Elsewhere Selkirk host fellow table-topper BSC Glasgow at Yarrow Park.

Manager Ian Fergus welcomes back Unpha Koroma and Ciaran Chalmers to his squad.

Fergus said: “BSC are unbeaten and proving to everyone that they are title contenders, so this will be tough.

“I was disappointed with our defeat at Cumbernauld and I know the players are capable of better. It is up to them to show me that they are a team who can compete at the top.”

Steven Noble takes his Gala Fairydean Rovers team to Falkirk Stadium to face Stirling University.

And Vale of Leithen are also on the road as they travel to Galabank to play Edusport Academy.