Let’s get down to business
Saints’ board gets set to elect successor to Ross
St Mirren will today kick- start their hunt for Jack Ross’ successor as they interview their first three candidates for the manager’s job.
Express Sport understands that Robbie Neilson, Alan Stubbs and Jim McIntyre will all sit down with the Saints’ board over the course of the day in what will be the first interviews since Ross’ departure to Sunderland a fortnight ago.
The process is expected to rumble on throughout the week, with each candidate shortlisted being invited for a first round of interviews.
Second interviews will then take place towards the end of the week as the board narrow down their shortlist, before then reconvening and coming to an agreement on who to take the reins.
The board are following the same process which helped them successfully unearth Ross from Alloa Athletic just 18 months ago.
The 41- year- old would go on to famously beat the drop in his first season in charge before leading the club to the Championship title last season. Ex-Hearts manager Neilson remains the favourite to land the job with his hometown club having been among the frontrunners since the very start.
Former Ross County boss McIntyre is also attracting the attention of another recentlypromoted side Livingston, while Hibs’ Scottish Cupwinning Stubbs is keen for a return to Scotland following a disappointing spell at Rotherham United.
Meanwhile, former Wigan boss Gary Caldwell and Coleraine gaffer Oran Kearney are understood to have their interviews later in the week, while former Real Madrid midfielder Guti is reportedly set to further discuss the vacant position.
Kearney emerged as an outside candidate to land the role at the end of last week, after Express Sport revealed the shortlist for vacant position.
The 39-year-old was recommended to the club by Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, who rates the NIFWA Manager of the Year as one of the best up and coming managers from his homeland.
Kearney last season guided the Bannsiders to the Irish Cup before finishing runners-up in the Premiership.
And he is no stranger to the Scottish game as he is the son-in-law of former Kilmarnock and Morton manager Kenny Shiels.
The club initially hoped to make an appointment at the end of this week, however, depending on how the process progresses, it could now be the start of next week before any final decision is made.