Preston keen to keep Kernaghan

Livingston boss Allan Preston has said that he would be 'very surprised' if his assistant-manager Alan Kernaghan left to join Inverness Caledonian Thistle and succeed manager John Robertson, who looks set to join Hearts.

Preston told the Daily Record: "It's all hypothetical at the moment because we don't know what Inverness are going to do.

"But I've heard of the speculation and what I would say is that I would not encourage any approach from Inverness for Alan. I've spoken to him and we've discussed it but we'll just have to wait and see.

"I was delighted, but also a bit surprised when Alan decided to join me in the summer because I know what a good coach and manager he is. I described him at the time as my best signing and I stand by that.

"But knowing him as I do I'd be very surprised if, in the event of the Inverness job being offered, he chose to go.

"He is quite settled here and he's just bought a house in the Livingston area, so I wouldn't expect him to up and go.