 Coyle led St Johnstone to both domestic cup semi-finals in 2007 |
St Johnstone assistant manager Sandy Stewart says that, while rumours persist about boss Owen Coyle's future, it is business as usual in Perth. Coyle emerged as favourite to replace Maurice Malpas at Motherwell after he resigned last week.
But Stewart said: "I spoke with Owen on Saturday and he hadn't heard from Motherwell. He had just read about it.
"We are still working on deals to bring players to the club because we will be pushing for promotion next year."
Motherwell majority shareholder John Boyle has stressed that he has made no approach for Coyle.
"Owen had not been in touch with Motherwell and we don't know if John Boyle wants him as his next manager," said Stewart.
"So there was nothing for him to comment on."
 | I spoke with Owen (Coyle) on Saturday and he hadn't heard from Motherwell, he had just read about it St Johnstone assistant manager Sandy Stewart |
Coyle - who has two years left on his McDiarmid Park contract - led the Perth outfit to a whisker of promotion to the SPL, only to be denied by Gretna in the last game of the Division One campaign.
He also steered Saints to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup and CIS Insurance Cup.
The 40-year-old had a successful stint with the Steelmen in the 1990s, and is the front-runner to replace the outgoing Malpas.
But Stewart said the management duo were only focusing on St Johnstone's bid to win the First Division title next season.
"I just want to talk in a positive way about St Johnstone and next season," he said.
"Owen is away for a fortnight then I am away for a fortnight after that.
"If something comes up in terms of a possible new player in this fortnight, I will deal with it, but Owen and I will be in constant touch."
St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown has already questioned the wisdom behind Coyle moving from Perth to Motherwell.
"Owen is under contract and we want him to stay," said Brown of the former Fir Park striker.
| If he (Coyle) was to go I would think he would set his sights a good bit higher than going to Fir Park St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown |
"I would also like to ask whether Motherwell are a better prospect for him than St Johnstone?
"If he was to go I would think he would set his sights a good bit higher than going to Fir Park."
Joe Miller, who recently left Clyde, has admitted the Motherwell post is an attractive proposition.
But, Stephen Kenny, who had also been linked with the job, has ruled himself out after pledging his future to relegated Dunfermline Athletic.
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