Scott Brown in the frame for St Mirren job after Jim Goodwin agrees deal to take over at Aberdeen

Scott Brown has emerged as a shock contender for the St Mirren manager’s job. 

Jim Goodwin hopes to take charge of Aberdeen for Saturday’s Premiership trip to Motherwell after agreeing a three and a half year deal. 

And former Celtic skipper Brown, who joined the Dons as a player coach under Stephen Glass last summer, is a surprise candidate to move to Paisley as his replacement.

Scott Brown has emerged as a shock contender for the St Mirren manager’s job

Pittodrie chiefs were granted permission to speak to Goodwin after they agreed to trigger a £250,000 release clause in his contract.

The 40-year-old Irishman immediately travelled to the Granite City with assistant Lee Sharp to wrap up negotiations.

Aberdeen began their search for a new boss after Glass was sacked last Sunday, less than a year into his tenure.

An initial approach to the Paisley club for the green light to speak to Goodwin was turned down.

Before agreeing a new three-year contract last February, however, the ex-Alloa Athletic boss asked for a break clause to be inserted.

Jim Goodwin hopes to take charge of Aberdeen for Saturday’s Premiership trip to Motherwell

And after holding talks with other candidates — including former Hibernian boss Jack Ross — Dons chiefs moved to meet St Mirren’s valuation yesterday morning.

The Buddies confirmed that they were happy for talks to go ahead, adding: ‘We hope for a swift resolution to this matter.’

With St Mirren due to play at Livingston, goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield took training and performed pre-match media duties. Expected to join Goodwin at Pittodrie, where he played for ten years as keeper, Langfield will take the team on an interim basis until a new manager arrives.

A hamstring injury will rule 36-year-old Brown out of Aberdeen’s trip to Motherwell this afternoon. Keen to pursue a future in management, the former Celtic and Scotland captain has been working through his coaching badges while learning the ropes at Pittodrie, making 32 appearances for the team.

St Mirren want to speak to coaches with a range of experience. Former manager Ross, who managed the club for two years between 2016 and 2018, has popular support amongst fans.