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Shamrock Rovers have appointed former captain Stephen McPhail as the club's new sporting director.

The former Republic of Ireland international midfielder announced his retirement last month at the age of 36, having spent the last three seasons with the Hoops.

McPhail, who played Leeds United, Barnsley, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday during a 17-year career in England, will act as a link between the club's academy structure and senior management.

He will be involved in the selection of a new first team manager and will assist head of coaching Stephen Bradley and academy director Shane Robinson in player recruitment.

McPhail served as a coach under interim managers Bradley and Sami Ristila following Pat Fenlon's dismissal in July.

“When I was first approached by the Board a few weeks ago to see if I may be interested in taking up the role of Sporting Director I was hugely impressed by what they had to say,” McPhail said in a club statement.

“We've had many conversations since our initial meeting and I've found the clubs vision moving forward to be extremely exciting and, in many respects, ground breaking for a professional club in this country.

“With all this in mind I felt compelled to take the club up on its offer and I am really looking forward to getting started. My aim is to help improve every facet of Shamrock Rovers for its future success”.

The full statement can be read here.