Craig Levein breaks St Johnstone next manager silence as former Scotland boss ready for dugout return

Craig Levein has confirmed he is in talks with St Johnstone to become their new boss but admits it's not a done deal yet.

Speculation have been rife that the former Hearts boss - last seen in the dugout with the Jambos in 2019 - was poised to replace Steven MacLean at McDiarmid Park. The former striker was sacked after a winless start to the Premiership season and Alex Cleland got three points in their most recent game with Kilmarnock, but now Levein looks poised to take over.

Brechin City boss Andy Kirk is also set to come in alongside him as number two if a deal is rubber-stamped, with Saints facing Motherwell on Tuesday. Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Levein said: "It's not done. There have been conversations, and we're somewhere in between those two things. I want to have another throw of the dice and see if I can make a difference in the St Johnstone team, see if we can improve them and go up the league.

"I have always said if the right thing ever came up I would like to have another go. But the right thing hadn't come up. This opportunity is something I looked quite seriously at.

"I have had a look at the squad and the results, spoke to a few people, and got a good feel. Until the ink is dry on the piece of paper, nothing is done. I like Geoff Brown, I like Stan (Harris). Gus (MacPherson) is there and I get on really well with Gus.

"If things do go to plan then I will be bringing Andy Kirk with me to do all the work basically! I am really looking forward to it but until the contract is signed I can't really speak about it."