Dougie Emery: Raith Rovers appoint Greenock Morton manager as new boss

Rovers thanked Morton and said there had been an “extensive recruitment process over the last two weeks”, with Emery showing “genuine passion and a clear understanding of our team and our ambitions”.

Andy Milne will follow Emery from Greenock to Kirkcaldy as assistant, and his first challenge will be in the Scottish Cup third round against Alloa Athletic on Saturday.

Chairman Colin Smart said Emery “was the standout candidate” because of his “ambition and energy”.

He thanked midfielder Paul Hanlon and coach John Potter “for their professionalism and leadership over the past two weeks in leading the team through an important period.”

Morton, who said an agreement had been reached with Rovers, said in a statement on his website: “We have consistently stressed that we will not stand in Dougie’s way.

“Although the club is disappointed, we respect Dougie’s decision. He took on his first managerial role at a very difficult time, with the club languishing at the bottom of the Championship, and played a pivotal role in stabilizing our position.”

“His tenure brought strong finishes in the league, near-misses in the promotion play-offs and memorable cup performances.”

Billy Davies, the former Motherwell, Derby County, Preston North End and Nottingham Forest manager, who was appointed manager this summer, will take interim charge as Morton begins “internal discussions on next steps”.