However, McInnes, whose current contract at McDiarmid Park expires next summer, said today, “I see my immediate future as being with St Johnstone.

“I’m looking forward to proving myself in the SPL and have told the chairman I want to stay.

“I can understand speculation linking me to the West Brom job, as I formerly played for them, and it’s flattering to be linked with the post.

“But my focus is on St Johnstone and, with the new SPL season due to start soon, I am looking forward to that.”