Doncaster put Mellon on new boss shortlist

English League One club yet to make approach to Tangerines

Dundee United have had no approach from Doncaster Rovers for their manager Micky Mellon. The Tannadice boss has been linked with the English League One club, who have a caretaker head coach in charge until the end of the season.

Mellon forged his career down south, first as a player and then in the dugout.

He has managed Fleetwood Town, Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town and Tranmere Rovers and his reputation was enhanced by the back-to-back promotions achieved with the latter.

Under Mellon, United have re-established themselves as a Premiership side after he took over from Robbie Neilson during the coronavirus shutdown.

Saturday’s 1-0 win at Hamilton mathematically secured the Tangerines’ topflight status and lifted them into seventh, a case of expectations being met in most people’s eyes.

Darren Moore left Doncaster for Sheffield Wednesday last month, at which point defender Andy Butler was tasked with taking the team through to the summer.

Their poor run of form continued at the weekend when they were beaten 4-1 by Wigan Athletic.

It is understood that Mellon is on a shortlist of potential appointments for next season.

But if the Yorkshire club do want to speak to him to gauge his interest and persuade him to return to England they have yet to notify United.

Steven Gerrard insists he will take no chances with James Tavernier’s fitness as he weighs up whether to plunge the Rangers skipper back into action in this week’s Old Firm Scottish Cup showdown.

The captain has not featured since injuring knee ligaments in February.

But the right-back is pushing for a recall when Gers welcome bitter rivals Celtic to Ibrox for the last 16-clash.

However, Gerrard, who is still waiting to hear if the game will be moved with Saturday’s scheduled date now clashing with the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, does not want to rush Tavernier back.

The Light Blues boss – after watching his team make it a perfect 17 Premiership home wins this season with a 2-1 victory over Hibs – said: “James has again had a good couple of days since we last spoke and he’s pushing hard to be involved at the weekend.

“We’ll only do that if he is ready, we won’t force that. He’s been out too long for us to force that.”

Gerrard suffered a further injury blow this week when Leon Balogun picked up an ankle knock, while he admits he is still waiting for an update from Ryan Jack’s trip to see a London specialist about his calf complaint.

It means Nathan Patterson is likely to start against Celtic but he has no concerns about that having seen the Scotland Under-21 ace edge out Hibs prospect Josh Doig.

Gerrard, whose team won thanks to goals from Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent before Kevin Nisbet grabbed a late consolation for Hibs, said: “I thought Nathan was outstanding today. I was fascinated with that battle down our right-hand side.

“Both lads put in a real strong shift, I thought Nathan just edged it I must say. But Hibs have got a real good player on their hands.

“The future is looking bright for Scotland in terms of full-backs because I think those two have got real big chances of going all the way.

“We deserved to take the lead. Joe controls his finish really well and then Ryan has obviously scored a world-class goal. It’s another contender for goal of the year.”

But Jack Ross was frustrated with Don Robertson after the referee harshly booked Martin Boyle for diving before ruling out a Ryan Porteous goal following a foul on Filip Helander.

He said: “I got the opportunity to see (the disallowed goal) before I come and speak, and it’s not a foul. Some decisions go for you, some don’t. But I don’t think anybody watching it would think it’s a foul.

“And as for Boyle’s booking, we have to be careful we don’t think, ‘if it’s not a penalty, it’s a yellow card’.

“He shouldn’t (get a reputation for diving). I will defend him because of how quickly he moves with the ball.”

Joe Aribo celebrates his goal with Alfredo Morelos.