St Johnstone next manager search down to 2 candidates as decision expected THIS weekend

St Johnstone expect to make a decision on their new manager over the weekend after holding positive talks with Larne boss Tiernan Lynch and Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven.

Reports across the water claimed that Lynch had already held talks but they didn’t happen until Friday afternoon, ahead of their game with Cliftonville. There had also been suggested that Lynch’s brother and assistant, Seamus, wouldn’t be prepared to make the move to Scotland but that is not the case either. If St Johnstone go for Leven or Lynch they will need to pay six figure compensation.

It is the first appointment for American owner Adam Webb, who is currently going through cancer treatment. Lynch has led Larne to back-to-back Irish titles and guided them into the group stages of the Europa Conference League for the first time. Saints had also held talks with Ayr United boss Scott Brown but he pulled out that they planned to talk to all the candidates on their shortlist. Jimmy Thelin wants Leven to remain at Aberdeen - but won’t stand in his way if he is offered the St Johnstone job.

Thelin confirmed: “We want him here, we want him to stay but we are not going to force anything. He has to make his decision.

“Peter has permission to talk to them. He is a good coach and it’s good that our staff have eyes on them. After that, it will be up to Peter what he wants to do.

“Everyone is important to me and Peter has been helping us with his knowledge of the league. Can I understand why clubs are looking at him and is he ready? He is a good coach and a good manager. But he would have to feel it and it’s not my decision. I can’t speak for him.”

Leven has previously coached at Kilmarnock and abroad but made his name last season when he rescued