GALA Fairydean Rovers will appoint a new manager later this week.

And the Border Telegraph understands it will be former Livingston and Berwick Rangers coach Neil Hastings that takes over the reins.

The 27-year-old will replace Dean Shanks, who was sensationally sacked last Wednesday morning, along with his coaching team.

Although no official appointments have yet been disclosed by chairman Ryan Cass, it is understood Hastings will be assisted by another former Livingston youth coach, Eddie Mangan.

And that both come on the recommendation of Gala Fairydean Rovers Ambassador John Collins, who held a director of football post at Livingston.

It is also understood two former Netherdale players will join the management team as coaches - Welsh Curran, who was managing the club's amateur team last season, and former goalkeeper Richard Green.

And that another former player, Shane Greene, is considering a director of football position.

Nobody at Netherdale would discuss the appointments ahead of an official announcement being made towards the end of this week.

But former manager Dean Shanks was more forthcoming when we approached him about last week's dramatic events.

The former Hawick Royal Albert manager had guided Gala to eighth in the Lowland League during his first season in charge as well as the third round of the Scottish Cup.

And he was in the process of recruiting players for next season.

Just hours after receiving the disappointing news, he said: "I am absolutely shocked by what's happened.

"We were building something good at Gala and we firmly believed we would have a team challenging for trophies next season.

"This has come out of the blue and left me and my coaching team devastated.

"A new chairman has come in and wants to do things differently, so I have to accept that and move on.

"I would like to think that we've left a good platform for whoever takes over from us."

It is understood that several of last season's squad have also left the club.

An official statement from the Fairydean Rovers was issued to the Border Telegraph last week.

It read: "The club would like to thank Dean and his management team for all their hard work over the course of last season and wish them all the very best for the future.

"Under Dean's management Gala Fairydean Rovers finished a respectable eighth position in the highly-competitive Lowland League and were extremely unfortunate to depart from the Scottish Cup at the third round stage.

"But in order to compete at the highest level a difficult decision has been made to opt for a change of direction for season 2019-20.

"The club hope to be in a position to announce a new manager as soon as possible."