Ambitious Livi number two Bartley linked with top job at Carlisle United
Livingston assistant manager Marvin Bartley has emerged as the frontrunner for the Carlisle United job.
The former midfielder has made no secret of his managerial aspirations, working towards his Uefa ‘A’ licence, while also completing a football management course at Edinburgh Napier University.
A couple of years ago, he revealed he has been collating his “black book of coaching” since he was 24, jotting down things he learned from past managers and sessions he has experienced or seen on TV or Youtube, and he shared his belief that he can go on to manage at the highest level.
The former Hibs favourite took on the assistant manager role at the West Lothian club in May but, according to sources from south of the Border, he is now a strong contender to move up the career ladder and replace Chris Beech at Brunton Park.
Ex-carlisle captain Danny Grainger, currently on the coaching staff at Falkirk, following two seasons as manager of non-league Workington, has also been listed among the favourites, while the bookies are still offering odds on Carlisle’s current caretaker boss and former Kilmarnock and Gretna midfielder Gavin Skelton. He has taken charge of the team for this weekend’s match against Tranmere.
But, flying under the radar, Bartley has reportedly moved up the pecking order, ahead of former Colchester and Swindon manager John Mcgreal who had been touted as the English League Two club’s primary target.
Beech was sacked at the weekend after a poor start to the season.
Meanwhile, St Johnstone striker Chris Kane aims to go on a scoring surge, starting this afternoon against Livingston, after notching his first league goals of the season against Dundee last time out.
The 27-year-old had failed to net in his opening seven cinch Premiership matches but broke his duck with a double in the 3-1 win at home to the Dens Park side prior to the international break.
Although he had been happy with his overall contribution to the team, Kane knows a forward will always be judged on their goal tally.
He is hoping to build on his recent brace when the Lions visit Perth.
Kane said: “I was delighted to get the goals because I wanted to get off and running in the league. As a striker, you just want to score goals. “The manager's been happy with my performances so that's the main thing. I just need to try and keep myself fit and play the way the manager wants me to.”
After a challenging start to the campaign in which Saints’ European exertions appeared to take a toll on their league form, Callum Davidson’s side won three of their last four matches before the international break.
Currently eighth in the league, Kane believes they are well placed to start pushing on up the table.
He said: “At the start of the season, we had a lot of games so it was really tough for us but now we can focus on the league and the cup runs. We just need to try and keep getting results and force our way up that table."