Williamson on shortlist for Argyle post

The Hibernian manager, Bobby Williamson, is one of three Scottish Premier League managers on the shortlist to become Paul Sturrock's successor at Plymouth Argyle.

Williamson has been linked with the post since Sturrock went to Southampton and insiders at the English Second Division leaders say his is one of the six names in the frame.

Dundee United's Ian McCall and Dundee's Jim Duffy are also in the hunt after being given glowing references by Sturrock, who is still close to the Argyle chairman, Paul Stapleton.

Other candidates are Neale Cooper, whose work at Hartlepool has been recognised by the support of his mentor Sir Alex Ferguson, and the out-of-work Peter Reid and John Gregory.

The Plymouth board will cut the shortlist to three on Monday and will then make approaches to those candidates.

Gregory and Reid have indicated that they would take the job on either a short or long-term basis and are obviously free to take over immediately.

There would be compensation for Williamson and McCall, with Duffy's position more clouded as Dundee are in administration.