Ex-Sunderland and Leeds United player, 41, appointed as Raith Rovers manager

Former Sunderland and Leeds United player Neil Collins has been appointed as Raith Rovers manager on a three-year contract.

Collins was signed by Mick McCarthy in August 2004 for a fee of £25,000 and made 11 appearances during the 2004-05 season as Sunderland won promotion to the Premier League as champions of the Championship.

However, Collins failed to make a single appearance in the top-flight for the Black Cats as they were quickly relegated during their first season back in the Premier League. Collins then moved on to Wolves and various other EFL clubs before becoming a manager.

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Collins has so far managed the Tampa Bay Rowdies and enjoyed a stint with Barnsley in League One, guiding the Yorkshire club to a play-off spot before his sacking earlier this year.

He told Raith's website: "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.”

CEO Andrew Barrowman said: "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. It's worth noting that Neill was our top choice from very early in the process, and while we initially faced challenges in securing his services, we were determined not to give up."

Rovers are already 10 points off leaders Ayr United with one win from their opening four games in the Scottish Championship.