Roddy Collins will not be the next manager of Glentoran after the club today appointed former player Paul Millar to the position.

Collins, who left Shamrock Rovers in controversial circumstances towards the end of last season, was in the running for the Belfast job and had hoped to secure a swift return to management.

But Millar has piped him to the post and the new boss will meet his players on Thursday night before an official unveiling on Friday morning.

His first game in charge is away to Cliftonville on Saturday before a trip to Dublin on Monday where his side open their Setanta Cup campaign against last season’s runners-up Shelbourne.

Millar is a relative novice in management circles and joins Glentoran from Newry City.  He succeeds Roy Coyle who recently resigned after eight years in charge.

Collins had talks with the Glentoran board after watching the club’s 1-0 cup win over Ballyclare Comrades at the weekend and said he could bring a significant investor on board.

However, Glens officials have turned their focus elsewhere and the Dubliner must now reassess his options.

It is unclear where the former Bohemians and Carlisle manager will direct his attentions next but the vacant Newry job is a possibility.