Scott Brown 'keen' for St Johnstone next manager talks as Celtic dugout debut is ON

Brown reportedly wants to speak to Saints ahead of weekend visit of Brendan Rodgers to McDiarmid Park

Scott Brown is the favourite to take over at St Johnstone as is 'keen' to speak to the Perth club, according to a report.

The former Celtic captain has Ayr United sitting top of the Championship after taking the reins at Somerset Park last January, But the Daily Mail. reports that Brown wants the chance to to sit down with the Saints and discuss stepping up to the Premiership and replacing Craig Levein at McDiarmid Park.

Saints have approached Ayr for permission to speak with Brown and if talks progress quickly, he cold even take charge of this weekend's clash with his former club. Celtic are the visitors on Saturday evening and Brendan Rodgers could find himself in the opposite dugout to his former Parkhead skipper. St Johnstone aren't putting all of their eggs in the Brown basket however, with other targets on their list of bosses to speak to.

Larne's Tiernan Lynch has caught the eye after leading them to the last two NIFL Premiership titles and the group stage of this season's Europa Conference League. Aberdeen boss Peter Leven is also a candidate after an impressive caretaker spell in charge of the Pittodrie side prior to forming part of Jimmy Thelin's backroom staff.

New Saints owner Adam Webb is keen to sort the managerial situation before he undergoes surgery. The American revealed hae is suffering from head and neck cancer, although stressed that the prognosis is positive.

He will help identify and secure Levein;s successor. Then he will temporarily hand the reins to chief executive Fran Smith, who will serve as acting chiarman.

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