Raith Rovers ‘looking at’ former Aberdeen boss who pushed Celtic all the way after shock sacking of Ian Murray

RAITH ROVERS are eyeing a move for Aberdeen caretaker and first-team coach Peter Leven, a report has claimed.

The former MK Dons and Kilmarnock midfielder stepped into the Pittodrie hotseat twice last season to good effect.

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However, despite losing just twice in 12 games in charge – including a penalty shoot-out defeat to Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi – the 40-year didn’t do enough to land the job permanently.

He took over from Barry Robson and was replaced by temporary boss Neil Warnock before his quick-fire exit ahead of Jimmy Thelin taking over this summer.

The incoming Swede kept him on the coaching staff when he moved from Elfsborg and together they have led the Dons to five straight wins to start the new season.

But now Leven may have a third bite at the managerial cherry, according to the Daily Record.

It is claimed Leven is ‘one the names that Rovers are looking at’ after their surprise sacking of Ian Murray at the weekend.

The boss was axed after a 1-0 defeat to old club Airdrie on the opening day of the SPFL Championship season.

Former Kelty Hearts and Dundee United boss Tam Courts is bookies’ favourite for the job, but the report claims he is unlikely to move to Kirkcaldy from Saudi Arabia.

Instead Leven is said to be in the running, as is former Rovers player and current Hearts B boss Liam Fox – and another Kelty old boy Kevin Thomson.

Rovers want a first-team boss to work under director of football John Potter and Murray’s old assistant Colin Cameron. The duo are in temporary charge while a new boss is found.

At Dons Leven won six games and took the Dons on an unbeaten streak during a miserable season.

The Starks Park chief executive Andy Barrowman explained the reasons behind the decision to axe Murray – who led the club to the Premiership promotion play-off final last season.

He said: “It’s not a knee-jerk reaction. Despite what people think there was no flash-point, there wasn’t a falling out.

“I spoke to Ian on the phone [on Sunday] – he was shocked obviously and though I don’t think he agreed with my points I think he understood the rationale behind the decision.

“People talk about timing and why we didn’t do it at the end of the season.

“Rightly or wrongly we believed that Ian deserved the opportunity for us to be better and earned the right to go into the new season.

“Ultimately we don’t believe Ian is the man to take us forward.

“I don’t think he comes out of this situation badly at all. He did a very good job at Raith Rovers and I don’t think his CV has been damaged in any way, shape or form and I’m sure he will go on to be successful in his next job, and the one after that.”

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