By Stephen Mcgowan

ST JOHNSTONE have failed with a final attempt to talk Scott Brown into becoming their new manager.

The Ayr United manager held discussions with the Perth side after emerging as a top target to replace Craig Levein.

Conversations with American owner Adam Webb floundered when the former Celtic captain reached a decision to stay put at Somerset Park.

Reluctant to give up the ghost, St Johnstone made one last attempt to resurrect the situation on Wednesday night.

Currently top of the Championship with Ayr, 39-year-old Brown couldn’t be swayed and will now stay put at Somerset Park.

Ayr United's Scott Brown is out of the running to be the next St Johnstone manager

Ayr United’s Scott Brown is out of the running to be the next St Johnstone manager

St Johnstone owner Adam Webb is on the lookout for a new boss after sacking Craig Levein

St Johnstone owner Adam Webb is on the lookout for a new boss after sacking Craig Levein

St Johnstone owner Adam Webb is on the lookout for a new boss after sacking Craig Levein

St Johnstone are also keen to talk to Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven

St Johnstone are also keen to talk to Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven

St Johnstone are also keen to talk to Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven

St Johnstone will now pursue approaches for Aberdeen’s Peter Leven and Larne’s highly-rated coach Tiernan Lynch.

Saints have already been in touch with the Pittodrie club to seek the green light for talks with first team coach Leven.

The Perth side also want to discuss the position with Larne boss Tiernan Lynch after the Northern Irishman won back to back league titles in his homeland and led the club to the group stages of this season’s Europa Conference League. An unnamed overseas candidate is also in the frame.

Embroiled in a promotion push at Ayr, Celtic captain Callum McGregor believes it is only a matter of time before former midfield colleague is managing in the Scottish Premiership.

‘Yeah, I think so,’ the 31-year-old said.

‘I know Scott really, really well from my time here, we played in midfield together for a number of years, and when you do that you understand what makes people tick, how good they really are and how much they understand the game.

‘It’s no surprise that he’s gone into management and he’s started really, really well. And I see him having a Premiership job before too long.’

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St Johnstone fail to land Scott Brown as their new manager as Celtic legend opts to stay at Ayr United

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