Dundee’s move for Ross hanging in the balance

DUNDEE’S move to appoint Jack Ross as their new manager was hanging in the balance today.

The latest twist came when it emerged talks on the deal to take him to St Mirren have stalled over personal terms.

That could force Dundee to look at other candidates and even revisit their attempt to get interim boss Neil McCann to take the job permanently.

Dens Park managing director John Nelms had flown to Spain, where Ross is on holiday, for a face-to-face meeting.

It is understood that went well until the matter of what the new manager’s salary would be was raised.

He wants more than Dundee have offered, particularly in light of the fact St Mirren are prepared to give him a wage hike and an increased playing budget.

Ross has already put the majority of his team together at St Mirren Park for next season and the club have sold plenty of season tickets on the back of the job done by the 42-year-old.

That means the Buddies won’t be giving up without a fight.

Despite the knock back to the offer from Dens Park, it’s unlikely the deal is dead and Nelms may well come back with an improved offer.

If that doesn’t work, the search for a new boss will go on.

Among the list of candidates will be Ross County’s Jim McIntyre, Morton boss Jim Duffy and even Alan Stubbs.

It could even be that Dundee try to strike a deal with McCann that would allow him to combine the manager’s job with his role as a Sky TV pundit.

Meanwhile, Dark Blues forward Craig Wighton came off the bench for Scotland U/20s in their Toulon Tournament opener yesterday.

Coming on in the 76th minute, the 19-year-old, however, couldn’t prevent the young Scots going down 3-2 to the Czech Republic.

Leipzig’s Olly Burke was given the captaincy by coach Scot Gemmill and he made it count by giving Scotland a second-minute lead.

The Czechs, though, were 2-1 up at the break with Chveja and Sasinka netting before Burke added his second from the penalty spot.

Graiciar put the Czech Republic ahead again on the hour and, despite Wighton’s introduction and a chance for Rangers man Ryan Hardie, they held on for the win.

Scotland take on Brazil on Saturday in France and now need victory to keep alive any hopes of progressing from Group C.

Dens managing director John Nelms flew to Spain for talks with Ross.