Aberdeen have appointed Gardner Speirs as caretaker manager replacing Ebbe Skovdahl who announced his resignation last week.

Speirs will take charge of Saturday’s Premier League match with Motherwell after the Aberdeen board moved to end the uncertainty over Skovdahl’s position at the club.

Skovdahl said last week that he was leaving the club but was prepared to stay until a successor had been found. However, after Tuesday’s home defeat by Kilmarnock, Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness decided enough was enough.

“We are aware of the need for maximum urgency,’ saiid Wyness. ‘The Kilmarnock defeat re-emphasised that we cannot let things slide any further. It seems we are in limbo and the players need some fresh direction to get them going again.”

Speirs, who had been Skovdahl’s No 2, takes over until a permanent successor is found.

“The club is in the midst of a difficult period and we are grateful to Gardner for taking the reins just now,” Wyness added.

“We hope this move will remove some of the uncertainty surrounding the club.” Aberdeen arein eighth place in the SPL, six points above bottom club Motherwell.