Peter Leven responds to Barnsley next manager interest as Aberdeen caretaker wants role in Jimmy Thelin era

Peter Leven has blanked interest from Barnsley and says he is looking forward to remaining at Aberdeen as part of Jimmy Thelin's backroom team next season.

Record Sportexclusively revealed earlier this week that that the former Kilmarnock, Dynamo Brest and Orenburg number two is one of the leading contenders to succeed Neil Collins - who was sacked on Monday - at Oakwell. The Tykes know that a win against Northampton on the final day of the regular League One season on Saturday will be enough to seal a spot in the play offs.

But Leven, who led the Reds to the brink of the Scottish Cup final in their penalty shootout defeat to Celtic last Sunday, has moved to quell any talk of a move away from Pittodrie. The 40-year-old also adds that he is more than happy to be apart of new boss Thelin's plans going forward. Speaking to the media ahead of the clash with Motherwell, he said: "I am committed here, I have loved it here and I am happy to be part of it for next season.

"I’m doing okay, there is obviously room for improvement and I will always work on that but it is a great club and hopefully the next five games can go well."

Despite finishing outside the top six in the Premiership for the second time in the last three seasons, Leven is hopeful that his players can use their impressive display in the loss to Celtic at Hampden as a springboard for the final five games of the campaign. He stated: "We have got to build on the momentum.

"We are on a decent run. Obviously try to take the positives from Saturday, scoring three goals against Celtic. We want to finish as high as possible, and that is seventh, so I have set a challenge down for them."