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

oH_bluey added 19:31 - May 10 Worked for Narwich with Neil, a nobody from Hamilton.. Even if it meant we got 1 year back in the Prem, only to be relegated again, I would be very content. Would certainly beat 17 years adrift... and counting! Give the guy a shot (and he'd be cheap so Evans will love that) Not Sherwood. Clown who do a Redknapp and jack it in after 3 months at Brum.
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verulam added 22:12 - May 10 Mattchuuuu - you are right about Jack -I think he would be a good fit. Bit unkind about the Nigerian forward - he managed more than one goal and his brilliant overhead kick at Tottenham was, as The Times noted, " a little bit of magic out of Africa" !!!
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Mattchuuuu added 08:07 - May 11 Verulam- I forgot about the over head kick, haha - I take it all back. I just don't see the hype of getting an ex manager in who spent a lot of money on players
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Cheshire_Blue added 10:50 - May 11 The 'Mick in' brigade will be proved right. Time will tell.
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Razor added 11:33 - May 11 It concerns me that Evans is doing the interviewing-----he has already shown he knows nothing about football with his previuos appointments. Perhaps he will eventually get to Nigel Clough but I have never known a process take so long.
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Wooly added 15:40 - May 11 Stand by here comes a comment from the Mick In brigade.... Hardly a top name, personally I would still rather have Mick.
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Seasider added 18:02 - May 11 Interesting link this one,and seems to have foundation unlike a lot of the names. Certainly prefer the likes of this chap,Hurst,Steijn,Lampard and White to the has beens like Olly,McClaren,Pardew,Sherwood and Grayson . Considering the much lower standard of Scottish Football,compared to Eredivisie then it would be a gamble,as would all the appointments;so will have to leave it to Marcus,and hope it is 3rd time lucky !

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BuckieBlue added 20:18 - May 11 Ross' record these past 18 months- bottom league to top- is phenomenal. Not on a huge budget either. Ok he is a risk, becos it could be too much for him, on the other hand...
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blueboy1981 added 20:39 - May 11 ....... and the names keep rolling, as they will. A timely reminder that we have received more than a hundred applicants - many, many creditable ones at that. Not bad for a Club owned by 'someone' who no one would want to work under - other than McCarthy of course. Thrown that theory completely out hasn't it ? - won't be pleasing some tho', who continue to bleat ... about the loss of their messiah.

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norfolkbluey added 18:00 - May 12 It would be good to get a Scotsman for a change if it is Ross. Please not T Sherwood. Still think there are others in contention especially Steijn. I wish ME had started this process a little earlier so the new manager had time to build a team he wants before the new season kicks off, otherwise we could be fighting to climb the league by Christmas. But what do we know anyway!!!

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