LENNON’S TIME IS UP AT SAINTS

DUMBARTON’S Ian Murray has emerged as a frontrunner for the St Mirren job after the curtain was finally brought down on Danny Lennon’s reign yesterday. Following weeks of speculation, League Cup-winning boss Lennon (below) attended a board meeting where he was informed his contract would not be renewed after four years in charge. Rising star Murray, the former Hibs and Rangers defender, is being tipped as a potential replacement due to his impressive work in the Championship in his first management job. Sportsmail understands the 33-year-old is keen to land a full-time post, while his assistants at Dumbarton include St Mirren

legend Hugh Murray and another former Buddies player, Jack Ross. Other names in the frame last night were Peter Grant, Barry Ferguson, Billy Davies, Billy Starks and John Collins. It’s believed that no decision has yet been made over the future of Lennon’s assistant Tommy Craig, who worked with Collins at Hibs when they won the League Cup in 2007. Agent Raymond Sparkes insisted that Lennon had left with ‘his head held high’ after consistently keeping the club in the top flight since arriving from Cowdenbeath in June 2010. But his finest hour as Paisley boss was winning the League Cup in 2013, following a 3-2 victory over Hearts at Hampden. It secured St Mirren’s first major silverware since their Scottish Cup Final win over Dundee United in 1987. Last night, Lennon was not taking calls — but Sparkes issued a brief statement on his behalf. ‘Danny hasn’t been sacked. This is a unique situation and is simply a case of his contract not being renewed,’ it read. ‘Danny can be proud of his achievements at St Mirren. He leaves with his head held high as he and the club both look forward to successful futures.’ Lennon had replaced Gus MacPherson at St Mirren and he kept them up in his first season, before leading them to an eighth-placed finish in 2012 — the club’s highest in the top flight since 1989. He had hoped for more time to achieve his ambition of leading Saints into the top six, but his final game proved to be Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Hearts, which also proved to be the end for Tynecastle counterpart Gary Locke. Paisley chairman Stewart Gilmour cut a grimly silent figure as he emerged from the meeting at St Mirren Park yesterday and refused to take questions from waiting media. In a statement, the club paid tribute to 45-year-old Lennon after cutting him loose. It read: ‘The board of directors have decided not to offer Danny Lennon an extension to his contract that expires in June 2014. ‘Danny and his players gave our club one of its finest days on March 17, 2013 and will always be remembered by the club for that wonderful day. ‘The board would like to thank Danny for his service over the last four years and wish him every success in the future. ‘Decisions like this are never easy. However, we would commend Danny for his professionalism and the dignified way he carried out his duties during a very challenging season.’ Meanwhile, Neale Cooper last night left his post as assistant manager of Ross County. County said the 50-year-old former Aberdeen player’s departure was ‘part of a restructuring of the football staff’. Physiotherapist Paul Chappell also leaves the club. Ross County boss Derek Adams said: ‘I would like to thank Neale and Paul for their assistance.’