Brown to seek out predecessor

Craig Brown has revealed he will consult fellow Scotsman David Moyes for advice after taking over as the new manager of Preston North End.

The former Scotland coach returned to club management for the first time in 16 years yesterday when he was named as Moyes’ successor at the First Division club.

Moyes, who left Deepdale last month to step into the hotseat at Everton, took Preston to the brink of the Premiership and they were only denied a place in the play-offs for the second successive season on the final day of the campaign.

And while Brown has a wealth of experience from his time in the Scottish set-up, which took him to three World Cups and two European Championships, he is planning to speak to Moyes over the summer.

Brown said: ‘‘He is coming to a coaching course we have in Scotland next month for a week, so I’m likely to have most evenings with him.

‘‘In the informal atmosphere of the large venue for the coaching course I think quite a lot of discussion will take place.’’

Brown, who has signed a three-year contract with the Lancashire outfit, also revealed that he consulted Moyes before agreeing to take the job.

‘‘David was fulsome in his praise of the club board, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,’’ he added.

And Brown is happy to keep Moyes’ former assistant Kelham O’Hanlon at the club.

O’Hanlon took over as caretaker manager following the departure of Moyes and although he was unable to lead the Lilywhites into the play-offs, Brown was impressed by the job he did.

‘‘I’ve got to say that I thought Kelham did very, very well. It’s a very difficult situation to take over with eight games to go.

‘‘He’s highly regarded and I’m happy to work with the staff that remain.

‘‘It will give them a chance to have a look at me and give me a chance to look at the staff. I don’t envisage any changes in the immediate future.’’

But Brown has been warned that he will not have a huge transfer kitty at his disposal as he looks to lead Preston into the top flight.

Tony Scholes, chief executive of Preston North End plc, admitted that the uncertainty over television revenue for Football League clubs means they are unable to set a budget for Brown to work with.

‘‘We’re not a club that goes out and spends millions of pounds and we talked that through with Craig beforehand,’’ said Scholes.

‘‘Obviously the ITV Digital situation is one that is affecting all clubs at the moment so at this moment in time I would have to say that we are unable to say what, if any, money is available until that situation has been resolved.’’