Shaun Maloney front runner for Dundee job as ex-Hibs boss set for reunion with former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan
SHAUN MALONEY is now the clear front runner for the Dundee job - after Jack Ross dropped out of the reckoning.
SunSport revealed yesterday the ex-Hibs gaffers were Gordon Strachan’s preferred candidates to become the permanent Dens Park manager.
But while Ross held signing talks with the Dark Blues, he has decided his future doesn’t lie with the Championship club and he plans to pursue other options.
So that has cleared the way for Maloney to get straight back into frontline management just over a month since being booted by Hibs.
The former Celtic and Scotland star arrived back in the SPFL with stellar coaching credentials from his time working alongside Roberto Martinez with the Belgian national side.
But despite a January overhaul at Easter Road, he was unable to get the team firing and was axed by Ron Gordon after just four short months.
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Maloney has a strong relationship with Dundee Director of Football Strachan from their time together at Parkhead and with the Scotland national team.
And with club owner Tim Keyes now looking to implement a head coach system they want to land the 39-year-old as James McPake’s permanent replacement.
Elsewhere, ex-Rangers and Hearts winger David Templeton has come out of retirement to sign for Drumchapel United - in Scotland's SEVENTH tier.
Templeton announced he was hanging up his boots in November after struggling with injuries while still on the books at Hamilton Accies.
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He only managed three Championship appearances this season for the Lanarkshire side before making the call to stop playing.
And he decided to stay at the club as a youth coach to help nurture and train the young talents coming through New Douglas Park.
But after a few months out of the game, the 33-year-old has made a return to playing as he has agreed a deal with the ambition amateur side.
The Drum finished second in their debut season in the West of Scotland Football League Conference C.
They finished level on points with Petershill FC but lost out on the title through goal difference by just one goal.
But after winning the Strathclyde Cup and Cup Winner's Shield, they have now sealed their place in next season's Scottish Cup.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page