STEVEN FLETCHER will recognise the face in the visitors’ dug-out at the Stadium of Light later today – because he used to play against Norwich City boss Alex Neil during his time in the Scottish Premier League.

At just 34, Neil is the youngest manager in the English top-flight this season following his success in guiding the Canaries to promotion via a play-off final success over Middlesbrough in May.

He cut his managerial teeth in Scotland with Hamilton, taking charge at the age of 31, but was still in the midst of his playing career when Fletcher was starting out on his own footballing path with Hibernian.

The two locked horns on a number of occasions when Neil was playing for Hamilton, and Fletcher admits it will be strange to see one of his contemporaries barking out instructions from the sidelines this weekend.

“People are going straight from finishing their career into a manager’s job now, and that’s good for them because they know what the boys are like round about them,” said the Sunderland striker. “Fair play to them, especially if they’re getting a job straight away in the Premier League.

“I played against Alex a few times, so it’s going to be a bit weird to see him in the dug-out. He’s only six years older than me, which isn’t exactly the best thing in the world.

“He’s done brilliantly. He did well up at Hamilton, and got recognised for how well he did up there by getting the job down here. He’s just carried it all on, especially last year with getting Norwich promoted.”