YOU’RE ONTO A WINNER

Stelios’advice to the new Saints manager

St Mirren favourite Stelios Demetriou insists whoever takes the reins of the Paisley club is on to a good thing.

The Cypriot defender left the Buddies at the end of last season, departing with a Championship winners medal in the bag following a successful 18 months playing in the black and white stripes.

The full back has watched on with interest as speculation mounts over who will succeed the recently departed Jack Ross after his former Saints gaffer switched to English League One side Sunderland over a week ago.

But as interest in the role continues to grow, with former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson, Paul Lambert and Alan Stubbs all believed to be in the running, the 27-year-old reckons Ross’ successor has every chance of continuing the club’s resurgence.

Stelios told Express Sport: “The basis and foundation is already there for whoever comes in next.

“There is the makings of a very good squad there and the dressing room is full of boys itching to play in the Premiership next season.

“The fans should have total trust in the board.

“They will be doing everything that they can to get the right manager, they love the club, especially Tony Fitzpatrick, and they know what they are doing.

“It is obviously important that they get someone in who can continue the work that the gaffer did when he was at the club.

“Going from just beating relegation to winning the league was an amazing achievement and the manager was brilliant throughout that time.

“It is a big opportunity for a new manager to go into a club and put their own stamp on it. St Mirren are a Premiership club now and it will be interesting to see what direction that they go in.

“Whoever it is, though, will have the resources, a good group of players and a good chance of being a success.”

Stelios admits he wasn’t surprised to see the Black Cats snap up Ross having been impressed by the rebuild job that he carried out at St Mirren during his own time there.

And he conceded it was probably the right time for Ross to move on as he looked to further his career.

Stelios added: “He was always going to go at some point, and he couldn’t keep turning down the opportunities – although we all wanted him to stay last season.

“It just shows you how successful he has been at St Mirren, especially when a team the size of Sunderland comes calling.

“It is an amazing opportunity for him and James Fowler and they are more than worthy of it.

“I wish them all the very best because they deserve it.”