Scully set to manage Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers are set to unveil Kilkenny City's Pat Scully as the club's new manager on Saturday

Shamrock Rovers are set to unveil Kilkenny City's Pat Scully as the club's new manager on Saturday. The former Rovers and Shelbourne skipper will succeed Roddy Collins who was sacked earlier this week, writes Emmet Malone.

Scully, who led Kilkenny to fourth place in the first division table this season, six points behind play-off winners Dublin City, had made his interest in the job known last week and is believed to have turned down the chance to replace Jim Gannon at Dundalk in the hope of taking over at the Hoops instead.

The 35-year-old, who enjoyed considerable success as a player in recent years at Shelbourne and earned a single senior international cap while at Arsenal back in 1989, takes over at a time of considerable upheaval for Rovers who are about to have to come to terms with life in the first division.

His first task will be to assemble a squad capable of challenging for promotion next year although the club would be expected to be in a strong position to bounce straight back from this season's setbacks.