Saints will rebuff Dee bid to lure boss Ross

ST MIRREN are ready to issue a terse hands-off notice to Dundee over Buddies boss Jack Ross.

The Paisley gaffer emerged as Dundee’s top target to replace Neil McCann last night.

McCann stepped down from the Dens Park hotseat yesterday, and Ross is the man that has been targeted by the Dundee board to step into his shoes.

But Saints chairman Gordon Scott is already understood to be ready to rebuff any move to lure Jack to Tayside after Ross masterminded a sensational turnaround in form last season to maintain St Mirren’s Championship status.

The 40-year-old also led his side to the final of the Irn-Bru Cup, where they lost 2-1 to Dundee United at Fir Park, and scooped the March Championship manager of the month award after St Mirren’s dramatic upturn in form.

A Dundee statement read: “Since Neil returned to the club the process for finding our next permanent manager began. Extensive discussions have taken place over the past few weeks, and the process continues this week.

“Sky allowed Neil to step away from his contract to answer the call for the past five weeks.

“We are grateful to them and to Neil for his hard work over the period.”

McCann himself added: “I’d like to thank everyone at Dundee FC for their hard work in the time I was manager there.

“It was an honour to become manager of the club where my playing career started and finished and I’m very proud I was able to succeed in keeping them in the Premiership. I wish them great success in the future.”

Meanwhile, Inverness have parted company with manager Richie Foran following relegation from the Premiership.

Caley rallied with three wins in their last four games but fell one point short of Hamilton Academical.

Chairman and chief executive Kenny Cameron stood down three days after relegation was confirmed.

New chairman Willie Finlayson told his club website: “Richie has been a great servant and put 100 per cent into his job.”