McDIARMID PARK legend Dave Mackay is in the running to become the next St Johnstone manager following the departure of Tommy Wright.
The 39-year-old is currently first-team coach at Dundee after joining James McPake’s backroom staff last summer.
St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown has reportedly made it clear he is in no rush to make an appointment. However, Dundee are braced for an approach when Brown does compile his shortlist of candidates.
Mackay cut his teeth in coaching with St Johnstone’s under-20 side and retains a positive relationship with Brown.
He would also immediately command the respect of former teammates – and dressing room leaders – such as Liam Craig, Murray Davidson, Stevie May and David Wotherspoon.
After leaving Perth in 2016, Mackay went on to spend two years in charge of Stirling Albion, guiding the Binos to a League Two playoff position in the 2017/18 campaign.
Although he is thriving working alongside McPake at Dundee, it is understood the opportunity to return to St Johnstone, where he enjoys hero status, would be an attractive proposition for Mackay.
He was their club captain when the Saints lifted the 2014 Scottish Cup with a 2-0 triumph against Dundee United, their first ever piece of major silverware.
HALL OF FAME
Mackay was inducted into the St Johnstone hall of fame last March after making 268 appearances in seven years and emerging as the bedrock of their most successful era of all time.
Mackay joins the likes of Callum Davidson – Wright’s former assistant – and Inverness manager John Robertson among the early runners and riders for the post.
Alec Cleland has been named as interim boss as the Premiership side weigh up their next move.
