Livingston have rejected an approach from St Johnstone to speak to David Martindale about their managerial vacancy.
The Lions boss emerged as the early front-runner to replace Steven MacLean, who was sacked by the Perth club on Sunday with the team bottom of the cinch Premiership after no wins from their opening nine games.
Martindale refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with the McDiarmid Park job when he was asked about it at his media briefing on Monday to preview Wednesday’s match away to Hearts.
However, Saints made their move for the Livi manager later that day, only to be rebuffed by the West Lothian club.
Lions chief executive Dave Black moved to clarify the situation on Tuesday evening.
“Following recent speculation over the…