St Johnstone set for talks with Lynch over manager’s role after agreeing compensation package with Larne

Tiernan Lynch last night moved closer to landing the St Johnstone manager’s job after the McDiarmid Park club agreed compensation with Larne.

The 44-year-old, who has won back-to-back Irish League crowns, wishes to bring brother Seamus and Gary Haveron to form his backroom team and it is understood Saints are hoping to make a quick announcement.

Caretaker Andy Kirk was in charge for yesterday’s 6-0 home hammering at the hands of Celtic and is clear what has to be improved upon when the new manager takes charge.

‘Listen, when Celtic are in that form they’re unstoppable at times,’ he said.

‘After we lost the first goal, we lost our way and conceded three before half-time. It shows how quickly you can get punished by a quality team.

‘You can see them doing that to a lot of teams this season, but there’s professional pride and there are at least two or three of the goals that we can defend better.

Caretaker Andy Kirk oversaw St Johnstone’s 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Celtic 

‘Regardless of whether it’s Celtic, if you defend like that, you’re going to concede goals. And if we don’t learn from these mistakes, we’ll have problems no matter who we play. That will define the season.

‘If a cross comes into your box, you have to defend it.’

Lynch, meanwhile, has been tipped to be a massive success in Scotland by Linfield manager and former Rangers striker David Healy, who recently turned down the Raith Rovers job.

‘His understanding of the game is second to none,’ said Healy. ‘People will point to the success over the last couple of years but this has been building for a while.

‘I met Tiernan seven or eight years ago when they were first getting the financial backing and he discussed what they were planning. Investment can obviously help but you need someone who has understanding of the situation and Tiernan has that.

‘Tiernan will make the call if he decides to go or not. If he does it will be big shoes to fill [at Larne], but I’ve no doubt he could go to St Johnstone or elsewhere and be a really successful coach and manager.’