I can take the

Boss Stubbs aims to build on success

Alan Stubbs watched the names roll in and the speculation mount up as fabled footballers the world over threw their hat in the ring for the St Mirren job.

But the proud Englishman insists he always backed himself to be the man the Buddies board put their trust in.

Real Madrid legend Guti, Holland hotshot Patrick Kluivert, and the South African sharpshooter Benni McCarthy were all at one time or another linked with landing the manager’s position in Paisley.

Regardless, former Everton defender Stubbs was the unanimous choice of a St Mirren board looking to continue upon the momentum that has seen them transform from perennial Championship strugglers to a newly-promoted side looking up the table.

But he admits he didn’t know what to think when he seen the type of names apparently attracted to the position – especially when it comes to rumoured Galacticos target Guti.

Stubbs laughed: “Guti – Alan Stubbs... what am I meant to think?

“But from what I gather, supposedly he did put his name in for the job.

“When I looked at it, I felt it was a bit strange that he was in the running for the St Mirren job and he was favourite for the Real Madrid job. It has got nothing to do with me. Sometimes you see names that are in the running, or are put in through a third party.

“Did I look at it and think anything? No. I wasn’t really interested to be honest.

“Once I knew I had an interview I had to back myself that no matter who else was in for it, I had to believe that I was the right man.

“Now I have got the job, I feel as though I can take the club forward again. “It is a well-run club and the foundations are in place. “I am working with really good people that are going to be very supportive.

“I am delighted to be back in. I can’t wait to get back on the training pitch and also to meet the players, I am sure they are going to enjoy working with me and my staff that I bring in.

“The season before we know it is going to be upon us and we are looking forward to it.”

Stubbs enjoyed unbridled success in his first management position with Hibernian, leading the side to their first Scottish Cup in over 100 years with a famous victory over Rangers at Hampden Park.

But the enjoyment was short-lived as Stubbs sensationally quit the capital side to move back down south with Rotherham United just 10 days later.

The party hadn’t even finished as he rocked up at the English Championship side – but he admits it proved to be a massive mistake. Stubbs’ spell at The Millers was beset by problems