McInally tops Sligo's list

Sligo Rovers have yet to confirm the appointment of Jim McInally as their new player-manager despite reports yesterday that a deal had been agreed.

While McInally has been let go by Dundee FC after two seasons as player-coach, the final negotiations for his appointment at Sligo Rovers are not yet completed. "We have yet to agree on the terms of his contract and have to see whether or not we can meet his needs," said a spokesperson for the club.

"He is very much in contention and we very much want to have him but the talks will probably go on into the weekend before anything certain will be announced."

It is understood that another candidate has been interviewed for the position and they were attempting to contact a third before the weekend. McInally, however, will travel to Sligo later in the week and is clearly their first choice to take over from Nicky Reid, who was not considered for the new contract. Sligo had a late escape from relegation from the Premier Division last season, finishing fourth from bottom.

McInally (34), a former Scottish international, reached a career peak at midfield during the late 1980s with Dundee United. He stepped down as player-coach with Dundee last season to concentrate on playing. He was freed this week on the basis that he could not be guaranteed first team football next season.

Earlier this week McInally spoke out against escalating players' wages which he fears has seen the gulf between the Scottish game's haves and have-nots widening.

"Dundee United and Aberdeen have really suffered as a result of the way the wage structure has gone in Scotland," he told BBC Radio. "We never used to have the problem of players bragging about what they were earning. At United we were a hungry side, but there is a problem now with it not mattering to players if they're not playing because they're earning big wages anyway. It means they are effectively pricing players out of clubs when they would possibly be happy to stay with their current teams."

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