Shiels is new favourite for Swifts job

Former Hibs and Rangers player Dean Shiels has emerged as the front runner to be named as the next manager of Dungannon Swifts.

The 14-times capped Northern Ireland international heads a list of potential candidates which includes former managers Rodney McAree and Darnen Murphy being linked with the Stangmore Park vacancy.

Shiels is currently coaching the Northern Ireland ladies team which is managed by his dad Kenny Shiels.

Swifts parted company with Kris Lindsay in the middle of last month after a poor run of results left the Tyrone side bottom of the table.

Since then the club’s head of youth development, Dixie Robinson, has been in charge in a caretaker role.

At the time of Lindsay’s departure the club said they would be taking their time to appoint a new supremo but it now appears that could happen sooner rather than later.