Hibernian have told former Preston manager Paul Simpson he will not be the new boss at Easter Road.

Simpson, 41, was interviewed for the vacant post for which former Hibs striker Mixu Paatelainen now appears favourite.

The club could appoint a successor to John Collins, who resigned last month, before Saturday's Scottish Cup clash with Inverness.

Simpson, who also managed Rochdale and Carlisle, told The Sun: "I was told I was definitely in the frame, that it would go down to a very small number of people and that I was one of them."

However Hibernian look to be closing in on their new boss, and it will not be the former Manchester City, Oxford and Derby winger.

Simpson said: "They've decided they'll go down different avenues now and you have to respect that and move on.

"I wasn't surprised to get the call."

Former Cowdenbeath boss Paatelainen is currently in charge of Finnish side TPS Turku, and has a contract running until next year.

The 40-year-old had two playing spells with Hibernian earlier in his career.

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