DIGEST

■ ALAN PARDEW has been confirmed as the new technical director of Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia. The 59-year-old had a brief spell as head coach of ADO Den Haag in Holland before the pandemic curtailed the Dutch season and they agreed to cancel his contract in April. CSKA have legendary striker Hristo Stoichkov among the club’s shareholders. CSKA said: ‘Army men, English football specialist Alan Pardew will henceforth be part of the big red family of the Army. He will help with his vast experience and contacts in the overall development of the club and attracting players to the representative team. Welcome to the Army!’

■ PRESTON’S Darnell Fisher has been charged with improper conduct by the FA for grabbing Callum Paterson’s genitals during his side’s win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

■ FORMER Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland defender Alex Bruce, 36, has retired. Bruce was part of the Hull City team which reached the 2014 FA Cup final under his father Steve, and he also won promotion to the Premier League with the Tigers. Bruce won two caps for Ireland before switching allegiances to the North.

■ SHAMROCK Rovers will play the winners of Sligo Rovers v Derry City in the Extra.ie FAI Cup semifinal at Tallaght this Sunday (2.0). Athlone Town will welcome Dundalk to Lissywollen on Sunday (7.05) for the other semi-final, which will be live on RTE 2.