Hoops poised for visit of Harps as Lincoln express interest in Bradley
By Daire Walsh
SHAMROCK Rovers boss Stephen Bradley is fast emerging as a serious candidate for the vacant managerial post at English League One outfit Lincoln City.
The Imps are reportedly set to open talks with the Tallaght native in regards to bringing him on board for the 2022/23 season, with initial suggestions also linking his assistant Glenn Cronin and the Hoops’ Sporting Director Stephen McPhail to a possible move along with him.
Lincoln have been on the lookout for someone to fill the hot seat at Sincil Bank Stadium after Michael Appleton departed the role in the wake of their final game in the campaign on Saturday.
A former Manchester United youth prodigy (who enjoyed a brief spell as caretaker manager of Leicester City in 2017), Appleton guided Lincoln to the League One play-off final in 2020/21, before falling to a 17th-place finish in the season just gone.
Rovers meanwhile have their sights set on a third straight SSE Airtricity League Premier Division crown and will be looking to return to winning ways when Finn Harps pay a visit to Tallaght Stadium tomorrow night (kick-off 8pm).
Having recorded five wins on the bounce in the top-flight, the Hoops were finally halted in their tracks by Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds last Friday evening.
An Andy Lyons goal had put the Tallaght side in the driving seat, before Jordan Hamilton’s 71st-minute headed finish for the Bit O’Red ensured both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.
This was the first time that the Hoops had dropped points since playing out a 2-2 draw with Sligo on March 18.
Managed by Perrystown native Liam Buckley – a former Shamrock Rovers player and manager – are proving to be a tricky proposition for the defending champions.
The aforementioned Lyons grabbed a brace when Rovers defeated Harps 3-0 in Ballybofey and he has since added three goals to his seasonal tally.
It promises to be a busy few days for Rovers, with a rearranged meeting against Sligo taking place in Tallaght on Monday at 7.45pm.