Town have been granted permission to speak to St Mirren manager Jack Ross as owner Marcus Evans continues his search for the Blues new boss. Ross, who was initially reported to be on Town’s radar in early April, is set to be interviewed by Evans next week.

The 41-year-old, who turned down the chance to manage Barnsley after the Tykes were given permission to hold talks in February, took charge at St Mirren in January 2017 and saved them from relegation.

This season Falkirk-born Ross took the Buddies to the Scottish Championship title by 12 points and was recently named the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year.

The one-time Hartlepool, Falkirk, St Mirren and Hamilton Academical defender, who won one Scotland B cap during his playing days, began his management career at Alloa in December 2015 having been on the staff at Dumbarton, where he was assistant manager, and then Hearts.

Ross (right) during his playing days with the Buddies

After failing to prevent the Wasps from being relegated into Scottish League One in his first half-season, Ross subsequently took them on a club record 10-game winning run the following campaign prior to his move to his current club.

TWTD understands Blues owner Evans began interviewing candidates last week - when former Tottenham and Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood was among those spoken to - and he has continued that process this week.

Evans has said he expects to name the successor to Mick McCarthy in late May or early June.

Meanwhile, Town fans can run the rule over another of the contenders to take over at Portman Road, Paul Hurst, when his Shrewsbury side take on Charlton in the first leg of the League One play-offs at the Valley this evening (Sky Sports Football 7.30pm).

Photos: TWTD/Action Images

Monkey_Blue added 14:29 - May 10 Mattchuuu- what the hell are you talking about? Burley had to sell his best players every season before we got promoted and had us challenging and playing great football... you must be just out of nappies to not remember this.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:32 - May 10 Should defo get an interview. Could be the next Fergie, could be the next bloke that Owen Coyle. Worthy if interview though no doubt
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BartonBluee added 14:32 - May 10 @BeattiesBackPocket Zzzzzzz And the Mick out brigade would be enough for any incoming manager to think twice before taking the job... Champagne football expected on a lemonade budget.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:33 - May 10 @Barton and yet the club still received over 100 applications so I think that's a nullified argument
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JohnTy added 14:40 - May 10 For those who are fixated on past glories it may be worth remembering that it was probably purely accidental that Sir Bobby became manager, Two others turned us down before he was appointed.
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Daddio added 14:40 - May 10 Jack Ross is now at 2/1 on with Betfair still no odds on Gary White, wonder if he was or is going to get an interview :/
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therein61 added 14:44 - May 10 I find it encouraging that Marcus is talking to guys of this calibre rather than failure journeymen
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brittaniaman added 14:45 - May 10 Well Jack Ross is the Manager of the day for today then ?????
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dubblue added 14:50 - May 10 Not sure about Ross but would prefer to Burley/Butcher. First choice would be Maurice Steijn followed by Paul Hurst
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Cakeman added 14:52 - May 10 Would be happy with this if it materialised. Could be ideal for us. Has done very well at St Mirren for sure and turned them into a decent force again.
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Taricco_Fan added 15:01 - May 10 I much prefer seeing the likes of Ross and Hurst linked with the job rather than the tired old names (McLaren) or celebrity ex-England players that will inadvertently make the club a circus like the Roy Keane era. These guys working in Scotland and lower English leagues actually have to manage. They can't buy their way to success which is the perfect qualification for managing our club under Evans.

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itfcitk added 15:13 - May 10 By the sounds of it Jack Ross loves St Mirren but would move for the right opportunity. Would Ipswich represent that opportunity? The squad is ok, but he would have limited funds to build a squad.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:16 - May 10 I'd be happy if we gave him a go. He must be interested; otherwise, he wouldn't agree to be interviewed.
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oldegold added 15:57 - May 10 Burley for me...not too old for heaven's sake..he's 2 years older than McCarthy, studied under the Sir Bobby School of football how it should be played. If you're good enough then you're old enough..
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Ferguson added 16:15 - May 10 Dont think about who Evans is interviewing. Let's interview him ! So, over to you Mr Evans. Give us a statement of where he expects the club to be in 5 years time, and how he expects his full team to achieve it. What does he want his next manager to achieve ? Will he be happy to have one who matches those expectations and saves him money, or one who takes risks and might make something good happen ? What's the budget ? How much profit does he expect from transfers ? Is he happy with current revenues through the turnstiles ? Has he reached his full potential as a football club owner ? Has he got a couple of tickets for the World Cup Final going spare ? And if you asked him could he give you the names of 13 of our current first team players ? Answers on a postcard please.

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RegencyBlue added 16:17 - May 10 itfcitk Any manager we are actively approaching would be a fool not to use the opportunity to insist Evans opens up the wallet more than he has done recently before considering taking the job on.
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braveblue added 17:04 - May 10 Rozeebiy. Have you ever seen any of them play? Been to a game? Our standard of football for 3 years has not exactly been great.
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Swn98 added 17:07 - May 10 Whilst there is great interest in the position none of the candidates seem to tick all the boxes whilst 75% are journeyman out of work managers. This fella does seem to tick one box saved St Mirren from relegation.
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oldblue added 17:13 - May 10 Any young manager of the type we are looking for will be a gamble to some degree...Jack Ross is successful ..he knows what it feels like to win albeit in Scotland..but its great habit and he remains ambitious.He has built a set up at St Mirren of which he and his club are proud..will he let that go to move south and try in a different league ? ..remember the turmoil Bobby Robson had when he was approached on more than one occasion to leave what he had built at Ipswich..only leaving to manage England . The encouraging thing is we are looking at this type of manager..one with a fresh outlook ..not old has beens and failures at other clubs. We need rebuilding..we need to re-establish ourselves as a progressive football club..one that utilises its home grown talent..unites the fans and all who work for and support our club..It will probably take some time and there will probably be pain along the way...whoever we appoint has a major job on his hands..he will need to be strong and have a clear vision of how to succeed..and a thick skin to deflect those short sighted and moronic fans who will surely raise their heads as soon as things falter a little.This is a major decision..it is a difficult decision and t is not just about money..it is about someone ho can coach...I know its long time ago and different times with no loan deal etc but Sir Bobby only send 18 players in 13 years ..he spent the rest of the time coaching..Time on the Grass he called it..Jack Ross had to sell players and still went on to win the league..could he be the one..whoever it is lets hope he can coach ..thats the thing thats' been missing for too long .

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warktheline added 17:16 - May 10 Don't look now!🙈....Mick's 'best mate' is available , Ian Holloway!🙊🙈
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Taricco_Fan added 17:24 - May 10 ...and remember that Alex Neil went from Hamilton Academical to that lot up the road and did rather well. He still is doing rather well. Sometimes you just have to take a gamble.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:34 - May 10 How long before Carhavel and Holoway are installed as favourite by the bookies?
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BraveDave added 17:40 - May 10 Big debate on the St Mirren forum (blackandwhitearmy.com). To a person, they think the world of him, don't want him to go, but believe it would be a great appointment for us. Some very positive comments about Town being a well run club, giving managers time, a significant step up from Barnsley and Charlton, etc.
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lightingblue added 17:57 - May 10 Possibly be a good appointment or that Gary white bloke. Bring in a burley, butcher or a redknapp for a wise old head. Anybody had a thought about a new goalie coach. Wright seems to have done ok up at Man City. The potential trouble with the likes of burley, butcher, Wright or even if mogga had come with their ex Ipswich staff would be does it come as part of a (job for the boys). If that is potentially the case then it quite often turns sour along with the good memories they gave us in the past.

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Chondzoresk added 19:16 - May 10 What is it with some of you? Get Burley....get Butcher....forget the past please, lets get a great up and coming manager, like Jack Ross. St Mirren fans love him to bits. They play it on the ground, short passing, nice movement. It's a no brainer. It's a big big yes from me.👍🍻
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