Levein hasn’t given his players any information about his meeting with the organization, although they are interested in buying out owner Geoff Brown.
An American investor interested in acquiring St Johnstone has met with Craig Levein.
When the team visited Scotland earlier this month, the manager of the Saints had a conversation with several of the players. The USA suitor, who has a background in law, watched games against Hearts and Ross County with his colleagues. The conversation between owner Geoff Brown and the potential buyer escalated during the trip, and discussions with Levein played a significant role in that.
Fourteen months ago, Brown said that he intended to sell the majority of his shares in the Perth club. There are indications that this transatlantic interest could continue and that a deal could be reached before the season is out. Levein emphasized, though, that these kinds of off-field maneuvers will stay just that. As he works to pull Saints farther away from trouble at the bottom of the Premiership, takeover chatter won’t be a topic of conversation in the dressing room.
“I had a blether with the guys when they were over,” Levein remarked. They spent ten days or so here, I believe. We have no influence over the possibility of the club being taken over, therefore I haven’t brought it up to the players.
“Everyone is aware of it; it’s not something that’s fresh off the press because it’s been going on for a while. It has long been simmering away in the background. Getting worked up over something we have no control over serves no purpose and serves as no one’s diversion. Since it’s clearly above my pay grade, I’ll just keep my attention on the team.
After losing to Rangers on Sunday, Saints are still five points above the relegation play-off spot. Even though they gave up three goals at home to Old Firm opponents for the second time in his leadership, Levein maintains he was more than happy with the defensive display against the dominant leaders.
He declared, “I was really pleased with a lot of the things we did.” “I felt that our defense was excellent.
“Rangers had one shot on goal in the first half, which they scored from, and one more that was blocked. That was all.” I was happy that we were able to keep them to a minimum because I had witnessed them bombard Ross County with thirty or so shots and their goaltender making numerous saves.
“It took a fantastic goal to undo us and, while the clearance wasn’t great, you have to hold your hands up because it was a brilliant shot. There wasn’t much you could do about it, so I was pleased with how we defended.
“That’s something we need to continue with and, if we keep defending like that, we can hopefully get things sorted at the other end with scoring goals.”
“I was really pleased with a lot of the things we did,” he said. “I thought our defending was great.
“In the first half, Rangers had one shot on goal which they scored from and another one blocked – that was it. I’d watched them batter Ross County with thirty-odd shots and their goalie making lots of saves, so for us to limit them to so few pleased me.
“It took a fantastic goal to undo us and, while the clearance wasn’t great, you have to hold your hands up because it was a brilliant shot. There wasn’t much you could do about it, so I was pleased with how we defended.
“That’s something we need to continue with and, if we keep defending like that, we can hopefully get things sorted at the other end with scoring goals.”
Levein, whose side travel to St Mirren on Saturday, has backed the 25-year-old to break his duck soon “Adama has been good and he’s been very very unlucky,” he added.
“If you go back through the chances he’s had, he’s seen goalkeepers make saves and had people making blocks. His shooting is pretty accurate; he’s been hitting the target and I think he’s been unfortunate to not be off the mark yet.