St.Johnstone’s search for a manager continues as McGhee throws his hat into the ring

After being earmarked as a possible successor to Derek McInnes, Cook held talks with St.Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown after receiving permission from the Airtricity league clue and agreeing a compensation deal of around £30,000.

However it has now been reported by St.Johnstone that Cook has rejected the chance to take on the manager’s job at McDiarmid Park following talks.

A statement on the St.Johnstone website read: “The club’s search for a replacement manager continues today but it does not appear that the successor to Derek McInnes will be Paul Cook.

The current manager of Sligo Rovers has been in highly-publicised talks with St Johnstone about the vacant post but the two parties have been unable to reach agreement on personal terms and the club therefore moves on to other options.

Alec Cleland and Jody Morris continue to be in temporary charge of the team as the squad prepares for Saturday’s game against St Mirren at McDiarmid Park.”

Meanwhile at today’s Third Round draw for the William Hill Scottish Cup, former Motherwell and Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee announced that he was interested in the vacant job.