Former Irish League striker Diarmuid O’Carroll is amongst the top contenders to take over at Scottish Premiership club St Mirren following the exit of Lisburn-born Stephen Robinson, according to bookmakers.

O’Carroll is currently assistant manager at Czech giants Sparta Prague and combines his club role alongside serving on Michael O’Neill’s staff at Northern Ireland.

The 38-year-old started his coaching career in Northern Ireland with Crusaders Strikers and has gone on to gain vast experience, taking on a senior role at Morecambe under Robinson before following him to St Mirren.

O’Carroll spent two years as Robinson’s assistant in Paisley, laying the foundations for their historic period of success, before departing in 2024 to become Newcastle United’s U21 manager.

placeholder image — Diarmuid O'Carroll celebrates winning the Premiership title with Crusaders in 2016. (Photo by Stephen Hamilton)

He returned to senior football last summer when former Feyenoord chief Brian Priske named O’Carroll on his coaching staff in Prague.

Sparta currently sit second in the Czech top-flight, 10 points adrift of rivals Slavia Prague, and were beaten 2-1 in their Conference League last-16 first-leg clash against AZ this week – they finished fourth of 36 teams in the League Phase.

With O’Carroll’s previous connection to St Mirren, he’s been priced amongst the favourites to succeed close friend Robinson, who was named as new Aberdeen manager on Thursday.

Former Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon – the current Dunfermline Athletic boss – is also on the shortlist, but Tony Docherty and Steven Naismith lead the market at time of writing.

O’Carroll is a highly-rated young coach and could now be offered his first senior managerial role in men’s football.

Upon confirming his appointment to Northern Ireland’s backroom team, O’Neill said in 2023: “I have watched Diarmuid in action on the training ground and he is a vibrant young coach. I believe he will be a great asset to us.

“I am aware of the matter regarding Diarmuid’s application to the Under-17/U19 role back in 2021. He and I have spoken about this and Diarmuid recognises the difficult situation which the association was put in at that time.”

O’Carroll had been appointed Northern Ireland’s U17 and U19 coach in February 2021 before withdrawing one day later due to an "administrative error" in his application process that was brought to his attention by the Irish FA.

During his playing career, O’Carroll enjoyed spells in the Irish League with Glenavon, Cliftonville, Crusaders and Dungannon Swifts.

Robinson’s move to Aberdeen could come as a blow to the Irish FA amid uncertainty over Michael O’Neill’s future.

Last year, Robinson stated “it would be the ultimate honour to manage your country” and appeared to be the leading candidate to take over from O’Neill if the current Northern Ireland chief opts to remain with Blackburn Rovers beyond this summer.

Rovers are reportedly ready to offer O’Neill a three-year deal to stay, but that could now depend on if Blackburn preserve Championship status – they’re winless in four following Wednesday’s defeat to Oxford United and sit one point above the drop zone.

O’Neill will take charge of Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off semi-final trip to Italy on March 26 – he’ll be in Belfast next week to announce his squad – before potentially facing either Bosnia & Herzegovina or Wales for a spot at the major tournament.

Robinson was in the running for the Northern Ireland vacancy following O’Neill’s departure to Stoke City in 2020 – Ian Baraclough ultimately got the job – and would have been viewed as a top option if required this summer.