Darren: I have plenty to offer

New first-team coach is raring to go as players report back

Darren Jackson admits he can’t wait to get back on the pitch this morning as St Mirren return for pre-season training.

Saints are back at Ralston today as they meet Jackson and new gaffer Alan Stubbs for the first time as the duo put the players through their paces ahead of the upcoming Premiership campaign.

The former Celtic, Hibs and Hearts striker was appointed as the club’s first-team coach at the tail end of last week as Stubbs shapes up his staff.

And the 51-year-old revealed he was delighted to receive the call from Stubbs.

He said: “I was pleasantly surprised when the call from Alan came. We are still really close, we speak a lot and we see each other quite a bit as well but it was nice.

“He had a lot of names to choose from so I feel quite privileged that he has picked myself to come in to the club.

“I was here quite a bit to watch last season and I know a lot of the players so I feel as though I can help the manager.

“It is just about getting in here, getting your head down and getting on that training pitch. I am just looking forward to getting started.

“I just want to get back in the dressing room again. I think that is a big plus in my character is being in the dressing room with the boys and being about and having that trust as they go between them and the manager.

“On the training pitch I feel as though I have a lot to offer in the forward area.

“But I am looking forward to preseason training and I am sure the boys are too as they look to impress their new manager.”

Stubbs has made no secret of the fact that he is keen to improve the club’s squad in a bid to match the board’s ambitions of reaching the top six.

But Jackson admitted that they won’t be making any bold statements on where the side will finish as they wait to see who they can entice to the club.

He added: “The manager has got huge ambitions and that is why he came here.

“But you never promise anyone anything, you have to wait and see what players you can bring in and take it from there. But our ambitions are always high.”