More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Steve Evans laughed off a potential move to Doncaster.
The Gillingham boss was priced at odds-on to take over at the Keepmoat Stadium a week ago by bookmakers SkyBet and until recently remained their favourite to replace Grant McCann.
Evans has been in the job at Priestfield for only a month and he insists there has been no contact with Rovers about the vacancy.
“I did have a bit of a chuckle to myself about it,” said the 56-year-old boss, who is working hard on building a team to give the Gills a fighting chance next season.
“It probably only came from the fact that I was in Yorkshire for a while when I was at Leeds and I had been very successful time at Rotherham. It can only have come from around that.
“There has certainly been no contact from me to them or them to me. It is just a completely random story but I am looking forward to playing them on the opening day.
“I took Mansfield there when they won promotion under Darren Ferguson a couple of seasons ago. It is a club I really like but there is no truth in it whatsoever.”
Evans is enjoying life at the Gills, having moved into the towns recently.
“There is a buzz and I have certainly seen it,” he said.
“I went for a haircut after the boys trained on Saturday and there were people in there talking nothing but positively.
“I have always believed the same, at Leeds, Rotherham and Peterborough, you have to embrace it don’t you? You have to integrate.
“When people see the manager of their team they want to come and chat to you, ask how the team is, who is training well and who is not.
“My family are mad Celtic fans and when I go up there and watch them, I am fortunate that I am friends with people like Lenny (Neil Lennon, the manager). I want to talk about who is doing well because I am a fan.”
Evans’ arrival at the Gills wasn’t universally popular but some promising signings appear to have won some around. He’s even been asked for selfies in Asda.
“I don’t know if that has broken their cameras!” he joked.
Fans will get their first glimpse of the new arrivals on Saturday when the Gills take on Faversham Town in a friendly.
Prior to that the Gills are up against a Championship side in a friendly match on Thursday behind closed doors.
On trial with the Gills is a French striker who could feature in that match.
