STOCKPORT County midfielder Dom Blizzard today tipped Jim Gannon to wow Scotland as the new Motherwell manager.

STOCKPORT County midfielder Dom Blizzard today tipped Jim Gannon to wow Scotland as the new Motherwell manager.

Gannon has fought off competition from a string of big names - including Aidy Boothroyd, Lawrie Sanchez and Steve Staunton - to be appointed Well gaffer.

Mark McGhee's replacement is set to be unveiled this week and could take charge of his first match on Thursday night.

Despite only returning to pre-season training last Monday, the Steelmen have to take on Llanelli in the first qualifying round of the new Europa League at the Excelsior Stadium.

However, Blizzard reckons his old coach, who turned down the chance to join Brighton last season, can steer Motherwell to a massive debut victory.

The outspoken 40-year-old has worked wonders at the helm of Stockport - the club where he spent 10 years as a no-nonsense defender.

He ensured they avoided near certain relegation from the Football League shortly after taking over as boss toward the end of the 2005/06 season.

The London-born qualified accountant then steered County to promotion to League One via the play-off final at Wembley after a win over Rochdale.

However, Gannon, one of the most highly-rated managers in the English lower leagues, was made redundant last season after Stockport went into administration.

And Blizzard, the former MK Dons star who jumped at the chance to work with Gannon two years ago, reckons Motherwell have pulled off a masterstroke by landing him.

He said: "People up in Scotland might not have heard a great deal about Jim, but, believe me, they will before long. He is a top, top manager.

"He has been working under very difficult conditions with us at Stockport.

"The club went into administration last season and was docked 10 points.

"However, he has managed to keep everybody's spirits up and, what is more, has insisted on us playing football the way it was meant to be played - on the deck.

"He is popular with the players who work under him as well as the supporters because of the style of football that he likes his team to play. He is an advocate of the beautiful game."

Blizzard added: "I can totally understand why Motherwell have gone for him ahead of a host of other well-known coaches who were in for the job.

"He has not had a huge budget to fork out on players during his time at Stockport, but he has done well with the money that he has had to spend.

"From what I understand that is the situation he will be in at Motherwell as well.

"He has to wheel and deal in the transfer market and bring through young players. But he is well used to that."

Gannon has been no stranger to controversy during his time as manager of both Dundalk in Ireland - the country he was raised in - and Stockport.

The coach, who has a full Uefa Pro Licence, has been openly critical of the football authorities and referees not to mention the tactics employed by opposition teams.

Meanwhile, David Clarkson and Paul Quinn, two of only 12 senior players registered at Motherwell, are set to seal moves to Coca-Cola Championship clubs Bristol City and Cardiff City respectively today.