St Johnstone confirm talks with Sligo Rovers manager Cook

Saints chairman Geoff Brown has secured an agreement with the Airtricity League club, who sit second in the table. “We have got permission from Sligo to speak to Paul Cook and we are in the process of talking to him,” said Brown yesterday. “We’ve had lots of applicants and, looking at them, we’ve made a lot of crosses and a number of ticks.” Liverpudlian Cook is a former Stockport team-mate of Derek McInnes, who left McDiarmid Park last week to take over at Bristol City. The former Wigan, Wolves and Burnley midfielder has guided Sligo to two trophies since taking over in 2007 – the League of Ireland Cup in 2009 and the FAI Cup last year.

The Irish club confirmed they had agreed a fee for St Johnstone to take Cook, should talks prove fruitful. A statement on their official website read: “Sligo Rovers can confirm that manager Paul Cook has asked for permission to speak to St Johnstone about the vacancy with the Scottish Premier League club. The two clubs have spoken and agreed terms of compensation. Negotiations are currently ongoing between Paul Cook and St Johnstone.”

Cook, who is believed to have been recommended by McInnes, appears to be a strong bet for the job as Saints do not want to approach several managers. “The last thing I want to do is what Watford did to us a few years ago when they were after a manager,” Brown said. “They upset about six clubs by lining up a list of people they wanted to speak to if their first approach didn’t work out. We were one of them.”

Brown has had success in giving young coaches their first managerial post, having previously done so with Paul Sturrock and Owen Coyle before McInnes. But, with St Johnstone fourth in the SPL, Brown appears to be looking for more experience. “The appointment may well reflect the fact that the circumstances of the club have changed since the appointments of Owen and Derek were made,” he said. “We were in the First Division then but now we are looking to bring someone into a club that is in the SPL and wishes to stay there. There is no need to rush – it’s not as if the wheels have come off.”

Captain Jody Morris and under-19 coach Alec Cleland took charge of the 0-0 draw with Dundee United on Saturday. Cleland confirmed after the game that he was interested in the post on a permanent basis but 32-year-old former Chelsea midfielder Morris is keen to concentrate on playing. He said: “I still thoroughly enjoy playing and I’m keen to do that for as long as possible. I want stay in football beyond my playing career but for the moment I want to be out there on the pitch.

“However, I’ll continue to work with Alec for as long as is required until an appointment is made.”