Stewart’s shortlist to find new Millers boss

Former Millers manager Mark Robins is still the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Andy Scott – who was sacked five days ago – while others including Brian Laws, Nigel Worthington and Blackpool coach Steve Thompson are also in the frame.

Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson has also been linked with the job.

Stewart says there have been nearly 50 applications from managers both in and out of work and and the plan is to interview a maximum of 10 contenders starting next week.

Scott’s assistant Darren Patterson remains in caretaker charge for today’s trip to Crawley Town and is looking to build on Tuesday night’s 4-2 home victory against Macclesfield Town.

Patterson, a former Northern Ireland international, has yet to throw his hat into the ring for the job but insists the Millers could still secure play-off qualification this season despite being eight points adrift of the top seven with only eight games to play.

“There is still no reason why we can’t get it, if we go on a run,” he said. “I’m a very positive guy and the cup is always half full. We know that, on our day, we are capable of beating anyone.”

Patterson says Scott has laid the foundations for a bright future during his 11-month stay at the club.

“It is so frustrating nowadays that people don’t seem to get much time and, with what we were building, there was a lot of good stuff going on,” he said. “Whoever comes in will do so on a sound footing with three quarters of the job nearly done.

“We are a very professional bunch and this is a first class club,” he added. “The whole set-up has been revolutionised behind the scenes. For me, and I’ve played at a higher level, it is run like a Championship club and some people don’t see that.

“I had a brief chat with the chairman about Tuesday night’s game and it was very positive,” he said. “We all know it was a difficult decision to make and he knows we are all professionals. This is an excellent football club and our remit and focus now is give it everything until the end of the season or until we are told any differently.”