Saints boss Stubbs sets his sights on lofty ground
ALAN STUBBS insists he will not be content with merely helping St Mirren avoid relegation from the Premiership next season. The former Hibs and Rotherham United manager was yesterday unveiled as the new boss of the Paisley outfit on a three-year deal. Chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick has stated publicly that he believes Saints are potentially a ‘top-six or top-four’ side. While remaining more guarded, Stubbs admits he will not be happy with just achieving survival in the club’s first season in the top flight in three years. ‘It isn’t just about staying up. It’s about looking up, rather than looking behind,’ said Stubbs. ‘I wouldn’t have come here to just finish tenth. There would be no point in me sitting at this desk if I just wanted to finish tenth. ‘Yes, the first bit will be to get to a points tally where we will be safe, then we can go from there. But it’s
not in my vocabulary to say that we just want to stay up. I think that’s wrong — and I think it would be wrong for the fans to talk like that. ‘We want to be exciting. Where that’s going to take us, I don’t know. But, speaking to the board, they share that ambition, which is important. It’s an exciting time.’ Stubbs replaces Jack Ross, who took over at Sunderland after winning the Championship with St Mirren last season. The former Celtic and Everton defender is confident he can maintain Saints’ upwards trajectory — and revealed that he plans to speak to Ross about the players he is inheriting. ‘Jack has done a really good job, but I’m looking to improve on it,’ said the 46-year-old. ‘The club is coming up on the back of a promotion and we’re looking to try to keep moving forward. ‘I haven’t spoken to Jack yet, but I will do. We have a game against Sunderland here in pre-season and I’ll speak to him before that and get a brief insight into this club from him. ‘It’s all about building on the work Jack has done. There are good foundations in place at this club. ‘It’s a well-run football club and I’m working with really good people, who are going to be very supportive and who want the best for their football club.’ At Hibs and Rotherham, Stubbs was assisted by right-hand man John Doolan. Doolan is currently the first-team coach at Accrington Stanley and Stubbs plans to work with fresh backroom staff at Saints. ‘That’s ongoing. I think, over the next few days, there will be an announcement and I’ll be in a position to name them,’ he said. ‘I am looking to go a little bit different this time. ‘I don’t think I will be bringing my staff that I’ve had with me previously. That’s nothing to do with anything. It’s just that, looking at it, I think I need something fresh and different.’