Scott Brown gets strongest St Johnstone manager pitch yet as club hero 'can't see past' Ayr Utd boss for top job

Danny Swanson insists St Johnstone must swoop for Scott Brown as their new boss before a Premiership rival beats them to the punch.

The former Saints winger signed for Tommy Wright three times during a consistent era of achievement for the Perth club. He reckons Northern Irishman Wright would find it tough to reject an emotional return to Perth. But Swanson believes the club will move in a different direction after sacking Craig Levein. And Ayr United boss Brown fits the bill to revive struggling Saints, who have been in bottom-six bother for the past three seasons.

They were heading for a similar outcome after four defeats on the trot, including three in the Premiership. New owner Adam Webb took swift action in axing Levein and Swanson wants him to be quick also in moving for the up-and-coming Brown and Steven Whittaker partnership. Swanson said: “Tommy Wright’s name is always going to crop up. It would probably be the safer option as he knows the club so well. He’s a great shout. But if they’re going a different route, I can’t see past Scott Brown. He knows the league, him and Steven Whittaker are going to be a good managerial team.

“Guys like that, wherever they go, are going to make teams better. If I was St Johnstone, that’s what I’d be thinking about. Scott Brown the player left everything out there and I think that’s what you’ve got to be as a manager too – no-nonsense. From what I’ve heard he’s a very good coach. I think it’s a recipe for success with Steven beside him.

“It won’t be long before someone comes in for them because managers lose their jobs left, right and centre around this time of year, so St Johnstone have got to try and get in there first. There will be bigger teams than St Johnstone wanting a