Former Workington Reds boss and Carlisle United captain Danny Grainger is being linked with a managerial role in Scotland.

Reports north of the border say Grainger is a contender for the vacancy at League One club Queen of the South.

The Dumfries outfit today sacked manager Marvin Bartley after a poor third-tier season.

The Daily Record claim Grainger is "in the running" for the position - while Annan Athletic boss Peter Murphy is also being considered.

The Palmerston Park job is available after Queens dispensed with Bartley's services on Monday.

It followed a struggling campaign which saw Queens finish seventh, only securing safety in the closing weeks of the season.

The former Livingston No2 had been in charge since January 2023.

Grainger is looking for his next challenge after deciding to step down from Workington at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The 37-year-old has long maintained he did not have another position lined up when he made the decision to leave Reds after his second two-year spell in charge.

He recently told the News & Star he was open-minded to what the future may hold, whether at first-team or youth level. Mark Fell has since taken the reins at Borough Park.

Murphy, meanwhile, has another feather in his managerial cap after leading Annan to survival on the last day of the Scottish League One season.

Having guided them to their first-ever promotion to the third tier last year, the ex-Carlisle favourite guided Annan to an impressive run in the second half of the campaign.

That saw them take their safety bid to the final day - and a 1-1 draw at Stirling Albion meant Annan avoided the play-offs in order to stay up.

News and Star: Queen of the South have parted company with manager Marvin Bartley Queen of the South have parted company with manager Marvin Bartley (Image: PA)

Queen of the South, in a club statement, said that after a "challenging campaign" they had "mutually" decided to part company with Bartley.

Chairman Billy Hewitson said: "We had all hoped for a successful season competing at the top end of the league but unfortunately this was not meant to be, so the decision has been made to part company with Marvin. We thank him and wish him well going forward."

Bartley himself said: "We obviously wanted a successful season but it wasn’t meant to be for one reason or another including injuries.

"A young group will have improved and learned a lot this year and be better for it. This will allow the club a full summer to move forward.

"I would like to thank the coaching staff players, the board, the fans and everyone at the club especially the volunteers for all their efforts during my time at the club."

Speaking after Queens' final game of the season against Montrose on Saturday, Bartley questioned the professionalism of some of his team. He said: "Anyone who knows me knows I’m a massive professional and this season I think I have handed out over 100 fines.

“It’s just not been good enough from certain individuals. There will be a fair few that will look at themselves and be disappointed."