Premiership manager in spotlight: Craig Levein

When Craig Levein was appointed manager in November, he was viewed by most as "a safe pair of hands" who would surely lift St Johnstone clear of relegation trouble.

The fans' faith has dwindled significantly in the months that followed and the former Scotland manager's side are still involved in a head-to-head with second-bottom Ross County to avoid a play-off.

Add into the mix this week's news that long-term owner Geoff Brown has agreed to sell his controlling interest to American lawyer Adam Webb and the stakes are perhaps now even higher for the 59-year-old.

Webb has revealed no detail about his plans other than "success on the pitch", so Levein and his players will no doubt have even more incentive to improve on a run of four defeats, conceding two or more goals in each, in their latest five league games.

That is easier said than done on Saturday as they visit a steadily improving Aberdeen side under interim manager Peter Leven who have not lost over 90 minutes in six games - their Scottish Cup penalty shoot-out loss to Celtic being the one blip - and are unbeaten in four at home.

However, Saints are unbeaten in their three meetings with Dons this season, draws home and away being followed by a 2-0 win on their last visit to Pittodrie in February.

Including that game, the Saints have won three of their latest six on the road, albeit they lost the other three, so after two successive home defeats, Levein may be happy to take his side to a venue where they have only lost twice in the latest nine visits, winning four of them.

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