Former Scotland manager Craig Levein is on the verge of taking charge of St Johnstone after holding talks with the Scottish Premiership strugglers.

Speaking on Sportsound, the 59-year-old said he is keen to manage again.

“I’m really looking forward to it, but until the ink has dried on the paper, nothing is done,” he said.

“I want to have another go at it, throw the dice and see if, in the latter stages of my career, I can make a difference to St Johnstone and get them up the league.

“There have been conversations. This opportunity is something that I looked seriously at – looked at the squad, the results, spoke to a few people – and had a good feeling about it.”

Coach Alex Cleland oversaw Wednesday’s 2-1 over Kilmarnock, but Levein is on course to be in place when Motherwell visit in the league this Wednesday.

His last game as a manager was in Perth in October 2019, when Hearts were beaten by St Johnstone.

Since then, he has co-hosted a podcast on BBC Sounds called Sacked in the Morning.

After ending his playing days at Tynecastle, Levein moved into management with his first club Cowdenbeath then returned to Hearts as boss in 2000.

A two-year spell at Leicester City started in 2004 before stints at Raith Rovers and Dundee United, then his Scotland appointment in 2009.

He left the role three years later and spent five years out of management before returning to the Hearts dugout, being let go in 2019.

Levein said he plans to bring in former Hearts forward Andy Kirk, currently the Brechin City manager, to assist him.

The 44-year-old Kirk played under Levein and later managed the Hearts women’s team.

He took charge at Highland League side Brechin in June 2021, winning last season’s division but missing out on a return to the SPFL via the play-offs.

What do the fans think?

St Johnstone fans, would you be happy with Levein? Or do you think he’s the wrong man for the job? Let us know…

If the form doesn’t load properly, go straight to it here…