Neil MacFarlane joins Neilson’s MK Dons coaching staff

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

New MK Dons boss Robbie Neilson has added ex-Fleetwood assistant Neil MacFarlane to his backroom staff as first-team coach.

MacFarlane watched the Dons beat bitter rivals Wimbledon on Saturday in Neilson’s first game in charge since arriving from Hearts, and has today officially began working with the first-team.

The 39-year-old coach also worked as assistant manager to Neilson’s current assistant Stephen Crawford while at Falkirk, and carried out the same role under Steven Pressley at Coventry.

“Neil’s got really good experience of the league, having been at both Coventry and Fleetwood as assistant. I just felt I needed that experience, someone I could turn to regarding a number of things,” Neilson told the club’s official website.

“He’s a great character and he works hard – that’s what you need. He’ll be hands on, helping with training and taking certain aspects of it. He’ll be a positive addition.”

MacFarlane enjoyed a successful career as a player north of the border, playing for Hearts with Neilson, winning the Scottish third division with Queens Park in 2000, and was a part of the Queen of the South side that were runners up in the Scottish Cup in 2008.

After joining the League One side, he said: “I’m absolutely delighted. We’ve been talking about it for a week so it’s good to get started.

“I know the manager having played with him and then worked for a while when he was starting out in coaching, while I also worked with Stevie at Falkirk for a number of years.

“We all get on very well and hopefully that can help drive the Club forward.”