Saints want contract talks with boss Ross

St Mirren are set to kick-start contract talks with manager Jack Ross in a bid to convince him to stick with the Saints.

Speculation continues that he is set to ditch the Paisley side in favour of a switch to Premiership side Dundee, but Express Sport understands that the Buddies hierachy will do everything in its power to keep the former Alloa boss in the Saints hotseat.

Ross returns from a family holiday on Monday, and it is believed that St Mirren are prepared to table an improved deal upon his return.

Dundee’s original offer was quickly rebuffed by the Paisley side as chairman Gordon Scott warned the Tayside outfit that St Mirren were not interested in allowing their manager to leave.

Dundee managing director John Nelms formally approached St Mirren on Tuesday afternoon, with a view to discussing terms with Ross.

That offer was swiftly batted out of court by Scott following a chat with Ross, but it appears that Dundee are not ready to abandon their bid to appoint the 40-year-old.

Scott said: “We can confirm that Dundee FC submitted a request to discuss their managerial vacancy with Jack Ross.

“We have replied informing them that Jack is under contract and that we won’t be giving them permission to speak to him.

“That is the end of it as far as we are concerned.”

It is thought that St Mirren had hoped to convince their boss to make a statement distancing himself from the role, though talks continue to rumble on between the club and the manager.

The Dens Park side is on the hunt for a new manager following Neil McCann’s decision not to take up the role full-time, having taken over from Paul Hartley on an interim basis at the tail end of last season.

It is thought that Dundee will return with another formal approach for the services of Ross within the next 24 hours, with the former Alloa Athletic manager still top of their shortlist.

We can confirm that Dundee FC submitted a request to discuss their managerial vacancy with Jack Ross Gordon Scott