HILL OF BEATH HAWTHORN have appointed former Raith Rovers and Dundee defender Robbie Raeside as their new manager.

The 52-year-old, who will take charge of his first game this evening (Wednesday) at Dunipace in an East of Scotland League, Premier Division fixture, was unveiled by the club last week.

The former St Andrews United boss replaces Allan Moody and watched the team's Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Preliminary Round Two win at Fort William on Saturday.

Darrin Wright, who had stepped in following Moody's departure, was in charge for the tie, which Haws won 8-0 to reach the first round proper.

Raeside enjoyed a highly successful career as a central defender in the senior ranks, winning the First Division (now Championship) title with both Rovers and Dundee.

He went on to turn out for Greenock Morton, Alloa Athletic, Stirling Albion and Arbroath, as well as St Andrews in the Fife junior leagues.

He then returned to the latter as manager, when they joined the East of Scotland set-up, and led them to promotion from the Second Division and First Division in successive seasons.

Raeside departed United in the summer when the club's committee decided to change their style of running the club, involving a director of football and head coach, in place of a manager.

Haws chairman, Dave Baillie, said:  "We were delighted with the number of applications we received for the position.

"Robbie came over excellently in the interview, and having seen a couple of our games, he feels we have a good quality squad here at Keirs Park that can make an impact in the Premier League this season, and wants to be a key part in that."