PAT FENLON IS facing stiff opposition from Celtic favourite Alan Stubbs for the vacant Motherwell job.

Paul Lennon in the Irish Daily Star reports that the Bohemians boss has been earmarked for the post vacated by Craig Brown recently. The former Scotland boss moved to Aberdeen earlier this month.

Fenlon is said to be keen on a move to Scotland as the Gypsies struggle with serious financial difficulties.

Last January of course, Fenlon was denied a move to Dundee United when the Dalymount club demanded a €100,000 compensation package.

Now the emergence of the former Everton and Celtic centre half may scupper his hopes of a move to the SPL.

Stubbs is currently reserve team coach at Goodison Park. He was quoted in one Scottish newspaper yesterday as saying: “I would never rule the Motherwell job out because I had a lot of good times in Scotland.”

He added:

There has been a bit of talk about the vacancy there and senior management is definitely something I want to get into.

But I’m currently the reserve team manager at Everton and I’m really enjoying that. I was very lucky to have played with a fantastic club up in Scotland like Celtic.

That would make it easier if the opportunity came along. I’m not saying I am going to get the Motherwell job, but I would never say never.

I am hoping to complete my pro licence in January so senior management is definitely the next step for me and something I want to do.