My Jack-high risk strategy
ST MIRREN ONLY WAY IS UP Saints boss prays he doesn’t regret snubbing Dundee offer I’M NOT OVER HIL
JACK ROSS admits his decision to snub Dundee to remain boss at St Mirren is a gamble he hopes he won’t live to regret.
The Buddies gaffer turned down the advances of the Dark Blues earlier this month despite being handed the chance to manage in the Premiership.
After committing himself to another year in the Championship with the Paisley club the 41-yearold is well aware of football’s ability to transform the next big thing into yesterday’s man.
He said: “Dundee was a big thing to consider and I knew that, potentially, I was taking a gamble because things can change really quickly in football. We could have a really bad start to next season and my stock would fall again.
“But you also need to have faith in yourself and what you do and that that opportunity will come again – and I hope that doesn’t come across as me being arrogant but that’s how I reached my decision in the end.
“That (Dundee’s interest) was something I hadn’t envisaged happening because I was quite settled where I was.
“Maybe I should take it as a compliment but I haven’t thought too much about it.
“Probably the best way to sum it up was I left the country 100 per cent content to be with St Mirren and I returned home feeling the same way.”
The Ross family holiday in Spain was disrupted by the frenzied speculation over the Dens Park vacancy but the Buddies boss insists it was for the best that he was sunning himself on the beach as the drama over his future played out.
He said: “It probably helped me that I was out of the country.
“That wasn’t a bad thing because I’d managed to get so much business done before we left, I’d planned to have a complete break from football.
“As it turned out I had three quiet days but I suppose that’s part of the job. There’s always something that needs a response and the way communications are these days you’re always available.
“It’s hard for anyone to switch off from their work but I still got some sunshine.”
There was no attempt to disguise the fact the Dundee post didn’t tempt Ross to Tayside but he’s adamant remaining in situ became the best-case scenario.
He said: “I walk into our training ground each morning and enjoy being there. We’ve done a lot of work to it in the last six to seven months and that also gave me something to think about, as well as the personal aspects which had to be considered.”
A sense of unfinished business at St Mirren after guiding them away from relegation issues last season is what is now driving Ross to help his club fulfil its potential.
He said: “I felt comfortable about continuing doing the same job. I said, when I took DALE HILSON insists he is the best shape of his life after joining St Mirren on a six-month deal.
The former Dundee United striker had been training with the Buddies and has done enough to convince boss Jack Ross he deserves a short-term contract.
Hilson, right, said: “I was more than happy to come in and prove myself. I’m happy it is done.
“I’m looking forward to getting games now and I’m the fittest I’ve been in my career.” the job, I could take Saints into the Premiership and everyone laughed given we were bottom of the league. “We stayed up but I don’t feel that I’ve done a good job there yet and I won’t feel that way until I can get them into the top division.” Now Ross has tied his black and white flag to the mast he believes the Buddies fans are united behind the start of a campaign during which he’s determined to bring improved fortunes. He said: “I went into the crowd last season and put my neck on the line but the fans rallied round the adversity we were in. “Speaking to people in Paisley they feel there is a sense of optimism that’s not been there for a long time. Ultimately what I can help produce on the pitch will determine whether that keeps moving forward.”
GORDON PARKS