ROSS WILL HOLD IPSWICH TALKS

JACK ROSS is set to hold talks with Ipswich Town after St Mirren granted permission to an approach from the English Championship club. The 41-year-old opted to stay in Paisley following discussions with Barnsley back in February, but has now been targeted as a potential replacement for Mick McCarthy at Portman Road. His stock has continued to rise after leading Saints back into the Premiership, winning the second tier by 12 points. That achievement saw Ross named PFA Scotland Manager of the Year by his peers, ahead of fellow nominees Brendan Rodgers, Steve Clarke and Neil Lennon. McCarthy had initially been due to end a six-year stay at Ipswich at the end of the Championship season last weekend but quit ahead of schedule after reacting angrily to supporters jeering a substitution. The Suffolk outfit finished 12th — 15 points short of the play-offs. Should their talks with Ross progress positively next week, St Mirren could be left hunting for a new manager ahead of their top-flight comeback. Former Kilmarnock boss Lee McCulloch could be among the contenders if that situation arises. Shrewsbury manager Paul Hurst and former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood are two other names linked with Ipswich, but Ross is now the frontrunner. Speaking last month, owner Marcus Evans said he expected the club to be ‘in the mix’ for promotion to the Premier League next year as he outlined what he was seeking from McCarthy’s replacement. ‘We want something where the team is capable of playing football in an attractive way,’ added Evans. ‘I’ll continue to give the manager all the support I can within the sort of budgets that I’ve made available over the last few years.’