Ex-Scotland star lands first manager job as he makes shock move to Far East

HE enjoyed a long playing career throughout Scottish and English football.

But now this former defender has taken on his first managerial role – on the other side of the world!

Jamie McAllister got his first team breakthrough at Queen of the South in 1996 before moving to Aberdeen in 1999.

He became a key player for the Dons, making over 100 league appearances before moving on in 2003.

Amid interest from several clubs either side of the border, McAllister joined Livingston.

He would enjoy a stunning season at Almondvale, earning a Scotland call-up in the process.

McAllister was given his one and only international cap in a 4-1 friendly win over Trinidad & Tobago in May 2004.

He also memorably scored at Hampden as Livi stunned Hibs 2-0 at the national stadium to win the League Cup, the club’s only cup win and biggest ever achievement to date.

McAllister’s form attracted the attention of several clubs and after just a year at Livingston, he joined Hearts.

He would spend two years in Gorgie before heading south with Bristol City.

McAllister helped the Robins to promotion to the Championship in his first season and went on to play more than 200 times for the club.

He then joined Yeovil Town and was part of the squad that secured a stunning promotion to the second tier for the first time in their history in the 2012/13 campaign.

McAllister had a brief spell in India with Kerala Blasters before finishing his career with Exeter.

Retiring in 2016, he quickly moved into coaching as Bristol City’s under-21 boss.

He then became assistant manager at the club, before taking on the same role at Sunderland, Hibs and most recently Bristol Rovers.

But now, he’s going out on his own.

McAllister has made a shock move to BRUNEI, being appointed manager of the tiny country’s biggest club, DPMM.

He’s the club’s second Scottish manager, with former Blackburn boss Steve Kean taking charge between 2013 and 2017.

Although playing in Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the club competes in the Singapore Premier League.

They previously played in the Malaysian Super League before switching to Singapore in 2009 and became champions in 2015.

Although a country of just over 450,000 people, Brunei is a rich nation, owing to its huge oil and gas reserves.

It has one of the world’s highest standards of living and is led by its head of state, the Sultan of Brunei who possesses a huge private fortune.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page