BOBBY Williamson, the Hibernian coach, will today travel south to be interviewed for the vacant manager's job at Plymouth Argyle.

The Clyde manager, Alan Kernaghan, and Walsall's Colin Lee are his main rivals for the post, and had interviews yesterday. Terry Butcher of Motherwell and Peter Reid, out of work since he left Leeds

are also in the running, but Williamson looks favourite.

His decision to go for the job with the second division leaders has left him between a rock and a hard place. The fact he has thrown his hat into the ring shows that he must be unhappy with life at the club and wants a new challenge.

If he fails to be offered the post it will be difficult for him to return to Easter Road and appease the supporters.

It may even force the board into action as they will realise Williamson is looking around for new employment and may feel it would be best to replace him before he walks out.

The one plus point the Hibs coach has in his favour is the fact he has the personal recommendation of Paul Sturrock who left Plymouth to join Southampton. Sturrock has remained close to senior members of the board of the English club and his views still carry much weight with them.

Clyde officials said they understood why Kernaghan has attracted interest. A spokesman said: ''Alan has done a great job with us and I can see why clubs like Plymouth would be interested in him. He would be a sad loss but you can't hold him back and we all realise he has a great future.''

A source close to Plymouth Argyle said last night: ''This is the first time the present board have appointed a manager and they are trying to make themselves look whiter than white by approaching the clubs first.

''It's very commendable but it makes life hard for the managers who don't get the job and have to go back to their clubs with their tail between their legs. Bobby Williamson is still the favourite but they are interviewing a few people so there can't be any guarantees he will get the job although he does have the blessing of Sturrock.''

Livingston manager David Hay was last night emerging as the leading choice of the Hibs fans to replace Williamson.

Hay, who won the Premier League as Celtic manager in 1986 and the Norwegian title with Lillestrom, has no contract at Almondvale and would welcome the opportunity to manage a club the size of Hibs.

The Hibs managing director Rod Petrie refused to comment on the speculation. ''Neither the manager nor the club are talking about it,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Hibs have made defender Mathias Doumbe their final offer of a new contract and are now awaiting a reply from the defender, linked last week with Rangers.

''Mathias knows the club has made the best offer it can and it is now in the hands of the player,'' said Petrie.