Davidson is early favourite to replace Wright at Saints

Former St Johnstone defender Callum Davidson has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Tommy Wright as manager at Mcdiarmid Park.

Wright left Saints on Saturday after seven years in charge, the highlight of which was leading the Perth club to Scottish Cup glory in 2014, and his departure leaves chairman Steve Brown facing his first managerial appointment.

Wright’s No2 Alec Cleland has been placed in interim charge following the Northern Irishman’s exit but it is Millwall assistant boss Davidson who leads the betting, with Mcbookie installing the 43-year-old as 6-4 favourite to land the job.

Davidson, pictured, was previously appointed as Wright’s assistant in 2013 and the former Scotland left-back both started and finished his playing career with the club. He left to become first-team coach at Stoke City two years ago and is currently assistant to Gary Rowett at Millwall.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle boss John Robertson is second favourite at 7-2, while Saints caretaker Cleland is third in the betting at 9-2. Cleland has been at Saints since 2011, initially as a youth coach, but was soon promoted to join the first-team set-up. The 49-yearold former Dundee United, Rangers and Everton full-back stepped up as assistant manager in June 2018.

Other contenders for the role include Paul Hartley who has rejuvenated his managerial career by leading Cove Rangers to the League 2 title after being sacked by Dundee and then enduring a difficult spell at Falkirk. The 43-yearold former Saints and Scotland midfielder previously sealed three promotions in three years with Alloa, twice, and Dundee before securing a top-six finish on Tayside.

Aberdeen reserve team boss Paul Sheerin is another name in the frame. The 45-year-old made more than 200 appearances for Saints and began his coaching career in Perth with the under-17s. He left to become Arbroath player-manager in 2010 and led them to the Third Division title in his first season in charge. Sheerin has been the Dons’ second-team manager since 2014, achieving trophy success during his time in charge.

John Hughes has also been linked with a return to frontline football with Saints. Hughes, 55, has been out of management since a brief spell at Raith Rovers ended in relegation from the second tier in 2017 but previously enjoyed success at Falkirk, Hibernian and Inverness with a Scottish Cup triumph and third-placed finish with Caley Thistle the pinnacle.