Ex-Rangers striker Steven MacLean has been sacked as manager of St Johnstone following a disastrous start to the season.
The former McDiarmid Park hitman has been relieved of his duties in Perth following the 4-0 defeat to St Mirren at the weekend.
It’s a result which leaves the Saints languishing bottom of the Scottish Premiership, without a league win all season and already five points adrift of Ross County in 11th.
Steven MacLean has been joined by assistant Liam Craig in leaving St Johnstone with the club set to put another ex-Rangers player in Alex Cleland in interim charge.
In a short statement, St Johnstone said:
“St Johnstone Football Club can announce that it has parted company with Steven MacLean and Liam Craig.
“In the interim, Alec Cleland will assume responsibilities for First Team matters.”
St Johnstone sack ex-Rangers striker Steven MacLean
Whilst Steven MacLean isn’t exactly famed for his time at Rangers, the now ex-St Johnstone manager came through the youth ranks at Ibrox.
The former striker even made four appearances in the treble-winning 02/03 campaign and made the breakthrough at Ibrox.
Despite an impressive loan spell at Scunthorpe United, then Rangers boss Alex McLeish didn’t see a future for Steven MacLean in Glasgow and he was sold on.
Playing with Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle down south, journeyman striker MacLean returned to Scotland first with Aberdeen in 2009 and later with St Johnstone in 2012.
Having spent loan spells at Oxford United and Yeovil Town in between, the striker found a home in Perth and played six seasons at the club before a move to Hearts.
Initially taking over from Callum Davidson on an interim basis in April 2023, the last few months have not been kind to the former striker with St Johnstone looking to Alec Cleland to lead the team in the meanwhile.
Rangers fans of a certain vintage will remember Alec Cleland from his three seasons at Ibrox between 1995 and 1998.
Rangers too know all about the managerial merry go-round with Philippe Clement coming into the club this season and the Ibrox manager is already bemusing the local experts.
