Stubbs: We’re not done yet
Transfer vow from boss
St Mirren boss Alan Stubbs insists Saints’ revolving door will be in full swing as he continues to delve into the transfer market.
Stubbs has been wheeling and dealing this week having snapped up the loan signings of Middlesbrough’s Hayden Coulson and Aberdeen goalkeeper Danny Rogers, while stopper Ross Stewart departed the club.
However, the Saints gaffer admitted that he has sat down with a handful of players, understood to be Gary MacKenzie, Adam Eckersley and Ian McShane, to tell them that they were free to find new clubs.
Stubbs has already bolstered the ranks with the additions of Cody Cooke, Jeff King and Josh Heaton but, as the season nears ever closer, the former Hibs chief admitted that there is still work to be done.
He said: “In terms of are we finished in the market? I don’t think so. There is still potential of a few more coming in the pipeline.
“I am realistic that when we get further down the line that it may be the case that it needs to be one out before we bring one in.
“But as it stands just now, that isn’t the case.
“We know what we have got to do and we know the areas we would like to strengthen and we are very active in trying to bring in the quality that we need to take the club forward.
“Meanwhile, I’ve had a few discussions with a few of the players in terms of moving forward. I think the conversations were something that had to be done – I had to be honest with them and they weren’t necessarily going to be getting the playing time they might want.
“We will see where that goes with them. We have had very amicable conversations with them.”
Stubbs’ budget may be bolstered by any potential sale of John McGinn by Hibernian, with the Buddies set to rake in a third of any potential transfer.
But Stubbs, the man who took McGinn to Easter Road, admitted that his successor Neil Lennon wouldn’t be best pleased to hear him talk about any move.
He said: “I’m not surprised Celtic are actively pursuing John McGinn but I am surprised that there hasn’t been more interest.
“His quality is undoubted and I don’t think there is any question about that. I think it’s always been a matter of when and not if.
“He’s not my player, so I don’t think Neil would want me to say too much with the way it is at the moment and the fact they have a big game in Europe. Whatever happens I wish him all the best and that both parties get what they want out of the deal. I’m hoping that if John is sold then I will get some of the money we will make from a sell-on clause.
“Hopefully Peter Lawwell will open the purse strings on this one.”