Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes remains another potential candidate and this one really would have interested Smith, who was always more than happy to act as a mentor and sounding board for his former player.
McInnes’ complaints has taken attention away from Kilmarnock’s impressive start to the season.
Beale came in last December, won 17 matches in a row outside the games against Celtic then fell to their first defeat at Aberdeen. Today they fell at the first hurdle with the pressure on.