Scott Brown has presented his case to St Mirren to become their new manager - but will face a stern challenge from Steven Naismith.
Record Sport revealed on Friday the Aberdeen skipper had been granted permission to speak to the Buddies over the post vacated by Jim Goodwin.
Goodwin has gone the the other way to Pittodrie to replace Stephen Glass.
But Brown has stiff competition in his former Scotland team-mate Naismith after Hearts gave the green light for their U-18 coach to open discussions with Saints.
The Buddies are now weighing up their next move.
Former Celtic star Brown was their first point of call and he is keen to make the move into frontline management.
He moved to Aberdeen in the summer to be captain and assistant manager to Stephen Glass, who lost his job last weekend.
Goodwin said after the weekend draw with Motherwell that he plans to hold talks with Brown on Monday and although he might not be involved in coaching he wants him to remain at Pittodrie as a player.
The veteran, however, has a major hamstring injury that could keep him sidelined for the best part of the season.
Naismith has been coaching the youngsters at Hearts but is involved in the Scotland set-up under Steve Clarke.
The former Rangers and Kilmarnock star is happy at Hearts and with Scotland but is interested in the St Mirren job.
The Buddies have also sounded out other potential candidates, unofficially, including former boss Jack Ross.
It remains to be seen if they will look out with Brown and Naismith.
Any appointment would need to get a majority vote from the St Mirren board.
Current first-team coach Jamie Langfield has been put in temporary charge and could also take the team into Wednesday’s clash with Dundee.
