Rotherham United new boy Scott Brown not just a goalkeeper coach

He is also a specialist on defensive set-pieces and will work in that area as well.

Brown joined the Championship Millers on a three-and-a-half-year deal earlier this week as boss Matt Taylor went back to former club Exeter City to land the 37-year-old who was registered as a player-coach with the Grecians.

He will fly out with to Cyprus for Rotherham’s warm-weather training camp next week during the international break.

Interim keeper coach Billy Mercer, the recipient of huge praise for his contribution since Taylor took the Millers hot-seat at the beginning of October, will also be on the plane as part of a ‘transition’ period.

The international break offers Taylor — whose Rotherham backroom staff of assistant manager Wayne Carlisle, coach Jonathan Hill and Brown is made up entirely of Exeter old boys — the chance to really get to grips with his squad in training following a hectic fixture schedule since his appointment.

Speaking after last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Luton Town, he said: “We can have a bit of a crossover where Scott joins us and Billy is still here.

“Out in Cyprus is our first opportunity to do some set-piece work. Scott is not only the goalkeeping coach, he is big on set-pieces as well, certainly out of possession.

“Billy will stay with us for the next couple of weeks and then Scott will get that transition into the goalkeeping-coach role.”

Wolverhampton-born Brown enjoyed a 17-year career as a keeper, racking up more than 500 appearances for Cheltenham Town, Aberdeen, Wycombe Wanderers and Port Vale before accepting a player-coach position under Taylor in June last year.

His move to AESSEAL New York Stadium was agreed several weeks ago but the official announcement was delayed while Exeter assembled their own new management and coaching staff.

Meanwhile, the Millers will be sad to say farewell to Mercer who coached in the Premier League with Burnley during a decade-plus spell at Turf Moor.

The Liverpudlian, aged 53, has lived in the town since he kept goal for Rotherham between 1989 and 2004 and was happy to help out temporarily when the club’s previous boss, Paul Warne, left for Derby County and took his coaching department with him.

“He has been absolutely outstanding,” Taylor said. “His input with our keepers has been second to none. He is a superb coach and a great character. I can’t thank him enough.”

Mercer is expected to return to full-time work when his old manager at Burnley, Sean Dyche, finds a new club.