LEVEIN HAS SPOKEN WITH PROSPECTIVE SAINTS BUYER

ST JOHNSTONE boss Craig Levein has been in talks with the US investor interested in taking over the Perth club. The suitor and colleagues were in Scotland earlier this month and attended the win over Ross County in Dingwall and a home defeat to Hearts.

A key element of the trip was sitting down for discussions with Saints manager Levein. Owner Geoff Brown advanced his dialogue with the prospective buyer following months of transatlantic contact. Brown, 80, announced his intent to sell his majority stake in the club in December 2022. Talks are progressing well with the interested party, who has a legal background, and it’s possible a deal could be struck before the end of the current season.

Levein confirmed he had met the prospective owners, but was adamant that talk of a takeover won’t provide any intrusion as he bids to move Saints clear of the relegation zone.

‘I met the guys when they were over and had a blether with them,’ said the former Scotland manager (right). ‘They were here for 10 days or something like that. I haven’t mentioned anything to the players about the prospect of the club being taken over because it’s not something we can control.

‘It’s been going on for a while now, so it’s not something that’s hot off the press; everyone has been aware of it.

‘It has been bubbling away in the background for a long time. There’s no point getting excited about something that we can’t control and it’s not a distraction for anyone. ‘It’s certainly above my pay grade, so I will just remain focused on the team.’ Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Rangers left Saints five points above Ross County in the relegation play-off berth. Levein felt that the defensive efforts of his team against the rampant new league leaders was a big plus, despite conceding three times. ‘I was really pleased with a lot of the things we did. I thought our defending was great,’ he said.

‘In the first half, Rangers had one shot on goal which they scored from and another one blocked — that was it.

‘I’d watched them batter Ross County with 30-odd shots and their goalie making lots of saves, so for us to limit them to so few pleased me.’