St Johnstone confirm appointment of former Hearts striker Steven MacLean as coach

Steven MacLean has returned to St Johnstone as coach. Picture: SNS

St Johnstone have confirmed the appointment of club legend Steven MacLean as first-team coach.

The 37-year-old arrives following his departure from Hearts where his contract had expired.

MacLean will act as one of two first-team coaches alongside Alec Cleland with new manager Callum Davidson opting against having an assistant manager.

As part of his role, the former striker will manage the U18s.

Davidson is also hopeful MacLean’s influence will benefit the forwards at the club.

He said: “I'm delighted to welcome Steven back to the Club as part of my staff and I'm really looking forward to working with him and Alec.

"I obviously know Macca really well and I think we've got a nice balance now with Alec's experience and Steven's youthful energy.

"We have good strikers at the Club both in the first-team-squad and coming through the ranks, and I think that working with Macca will help to bring out the best in them."

MacLean spent six seasons with St Johnstone, winning the Scottish Cup with the club in 2014, scoring in the final, before a move to Hearts in 2018.

His two seasons at Tynecastle brought about nine goals in 52 games. He finished his Hearts spell on loan at Raith Rovers, helping the Kirkcaldy side win League One.