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Ross Pilcher

Stephen Robinson reacts to Northern Ireland speculation

Stephen Robinson insists he's had no contact from the Irish FA about becoming Northern Ireland's new manager.

The St Mirren boss has again been tipped as a serious contender to replace Ian Baraclough who was sacked on Friday.

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon and previous Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill are also rumoured to be in the running.

Read more: Ex-NI defender shares Michael O'Neill theory as IFA hunt for new manager

But Robinson - a former Northern Ireland youth team boss - says he has enough on his plate in Paisley without worrying about jobs back home, reports the Daily Record.

The former Motherwell boss was interviewed for the post before Baraclough got the gig in 2020 and is expected to be one of the frontrunners again as Belfast chiefs begin their hunt for a new gaffer.

Speaking after the Buddies' 2-1 win over Dundee United, Robinson said: "I have had no contact whatsoever. I have a hard enough job here without taking my focus off it.

"There isn't contact so there's no point speculating."

Robinson will be high on the IFA's wish-list as they look to appoint a successor to Baraclough who was sacked following a meeting of the association's Board on Thursday night.

They have five months to find their new man before the Euro qualifiers kick-off next March, but former defender John O'Neill believes the association needs to move quickly.

He said: "I am optimistic. If Michael O'Neill gets it I would be happy.

"But there's someone like Stephen Robinson who has done a good job in club management. There's talk of people like Michael Duff and Grant McCann, but I am not sure.

"I also think there are people more experienced than David Healy which would put them ahead of David at the minute.

"But Stephen Robinson would be up there when it comes to experience, so would someone like Tommy Wright."

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