Valakari has not spoken to St Johnstone 'yet'

Simo Valakari while managing KuPS in 2021

Riga head coach Simo Valakari has told Latvian media his club have granted St Johnstone permission to speak with him but he is "yet" to hold talks with the Scottish Premiership club.

The former Finland and Motherwell player took over at Riga midway through last season and helped them win the Latvian Supercup. The 51-year-old has previously managed Tromso and KuPS.

St Johnstone have been without a manager since parting with Craig Levein on 17 September and the Perth side are 10th in the Premiership, two points above bottom and four points off the top six.

Valakari was asked about the St Johnstone job after Riga's 1-0 win over Liepaja on Sunday and said: "I'm Riga FC head coach.

"They have asked permission to talk with me, by the club. The club said yes but I have not been talking with them yet due to respect of my players and due to respect of this game."

Saints were also given permission to speak with Aberdeen coach Peter Leven and approached Larne about their manager Tiernan Lynch, who has turned down the vacancy.