Leeds United promotion winner lands Scottish Championship job after failed approach for ex-Whites striker

Scottish Championship side Raith Rovers have appointed ex-Leeds United and Sheffield United player Neill Collins as their new manager on a three-year deal. The now 41-year-old first joined the Whites on loan in March 2010 and helped the club secure promotion from League One to the Championship.

He went on to sign a permanent three-year deal in July 2010 but was later dropped by manager Simon Grayson the following season and made the switch to Sheffield United in January 2011, as he stayed at Elland Road for just six months after penning his contract. He also counts Wolves, Sunderland and Tampa Bay Rowdies among his former clubs. The latter was the last team he played for as he went on to manage the Florida club for five years before joining League One side Barnsley last season. He was sacked by the Tykes with one game remaining of the regular campaign with the Oakwell outfit sat inside the play-off spots in the third tier.

Collins said of his appointment: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Raith Rovers. The excellent work that is taking place throughout the club blew me away and I am eager to contribute towards the continued growth and success of the team. The challenge to get this club back to the top flight of Scottish football is big but one we will work tirelessly together to achieve. I can’t wait to get started.“

CEO Andrew Barrowman added: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Neill Collins as our new manager. This appointment marks the culmination of a thorough and considered recruitment process, one that reflects our commitment to ensuring the long-term success and stability of your football club. From the outset, we were determined to take our time to identify the right individual who could lead us on and off the pitch. We recognised this decision would shape the future of our club, and as such, it was imperative that we conducted a meticulous search, leaving no stone unturned.”

Rovers had initially targeted former Leeds striker David Healy for the position and made an approach for the Linfield boss last week. However the ex-Northern Ireland international opted to remain at Windsor Park. He joined Linfield in 2015 and has won the Irish Premiership title five times in that time.

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“It happened pretty quickly last week," said Healy of Raith’s approach. "I’ve been on record lots of times, numerous times, [regarding] the privilege that I have to manage this great club [Linfield]. My job now is to get my head down, work as hard as possible, continue to try and strive for this club to be better, try and strive for me to be better and the staff and the people around me."