DEE CHIEF’S SPAIN DASH
From Back Page Nelms travelled armed with a lucrative wage offer as well as plans to build a new purpose-built stadium in a bid to entice Ross to Tayside.
The Buddies have also contacted their manager during his family holiday and have offered an improved package to remain at the Championship club which Ross has agreed to consider.
Saints though have failed to convince their boss to make a statement distancing himself from the Dundee post and Record Sport believe he’s keen on a move back to Dens Park where he began his career as a youth player.
Meanwhile, St Mirren defender Gary Irvine insists Ross would be perfect for Dundee and that’s why he’s thrilled the Buddies have snubbed his former club’s approach.
Ross led St Mirren to safety in the Championship last season after his gamble to sign 10 new players in January paid off and Irvine is desperate for him to remain at the helm.
He said: “I’ve got a massive connection to Dundee. I know the club and going on previous appointments it looks like they want to go for that young manager who is up and coming.
“He fits the bill for Dundee. I know that from working with Paul Hartley and then they appointed Neil McCann.
“I can understand the interest but if the club has knocked it back it’s positive for us because I do believe we were starting to build something towards the end of the season and hopefully it remains that way.
“It’s no surprise there is a bit of interest given how well the team finished the season. He has come in and both he and the team have earned a lot of plaudits for what we achieved in getting ourselves out of trouble.
“Obviously that has been recognised and it’s no surprise when jobs do come up he is linked with them.”
Irvine insists the players thoroughly enjoy working under Ross and said: “It’s been really positive, the boys took to his training regime and drills really well. Coaching-wise it’s something new and fresh and the boys bought into that.
“Eventually we managed to start getting the rewards on the pitch. It took a wee while to get going, it was the end of January, start of February before we started to build up a bit of momentum but when it did get going it was good.
“I think it comes naturally to him as well, he likes to be involved with his players and the man-management side of it is there as well.
“He’s done everything right since he’s been here and it has all managed to click into place.”