St Mirren manager Jack Ross says he will listen to what Town have to say when he meets with owner Marcus Evans next week and if the job was offered to him would weigh up whether it was the best move for him at this point in his career.

The Buddies have given the Blues permission to speak to the 41-year-old, who it's understood was one of those interviewed earlier this week and will be interviewed for a second time next week.

Ross was quizzed on the Town vacancy on BT Sport earlier this evening when he was asked whether he would take the job if it were to be offered to him.

“I would listen to what they have to say but I did that previously [with Barnsley]," he said.

“I know that football is such an emotive business and people might see that as a lack of loyalty, but I did that previously and decided the current position I’m in is best and I’ll take the same approach.

“What interests me is trying to reach the highest levels I can as a manager and that’s what I would have to assess as well.

“The pathway I’ve been on at the moment has enabled me to try and progress and I would like to keep doing that one way or the other.”

Ross added: “Until anything changes it’s about me doing my job to the best of my abilities and even on Friday I spent the day at Ralston, our training ground, and that will continue to be the case until anything changes.”

Ross (right) during his playing days with the Buddies

Asked whether he could ultimately have a tough decision to make, he admitted: “Possibly.”

Ross remains the bookies’ favourite to take over at Town, now at evens with Bet Victor having been odds-on earlier today, with Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst behind him at 2-1.

Scott Parker, who TWTD revealed yesterday is another of those to have been interviewed, is at 6-1, Shefki Kuqi at 10-1, Simon Grayson 16-1, Paul Cook 18-1 and Tim Sherwood, also among those interviewed, is 20-1.

Photo: TWTD

ashleylewis10 added 23:30 - May 11 Doesn't sound overly keen on the job but could be protecting his future with his current job. If you were offered the job Jack then you'd be lucky that a club as massive as ours with amazing history is giving you an opportunity to show your management skills in a tough division
2

iaintaylorx added 23:55 - May 11 It's not that he isn't keen ashley, he is just being respectful to St Mirren, which is always a nice thing to see. The more I read about him, the more I feel he would be a brilliant gamble and one that would hopefully pay off. I get that Scottish football isn't great, but there are big things said about this young lad! If he has the credentials, the league or country shouldn't matter. You look at Marco Silva, people saying he was in a “tinpot league” before he took charge of Hull and he almost saved them! Take this gamble!

36

iaintaylorx added 23:57 - May 11 And also, if he turns out to be anything as good as one of their previous manager before he became the most successful manager of all time, (Fergie) then I'd be happy!
10

Bluewelshman added 00:06 - May 12 He comes across as someone who doesn't want the town job, and is doing what Cowley did, which is talking himself out of a move. Maybe he isn't as confident being a manager in a much more challenging league like the Championship, lets face it at St Mirren there is zero pressure on him to win anything. We need someone with a bit more ambition, and up for a hard slog trying to get promotion from this league we are in. Jack seems to be happy just working away at St Mirren, and hopefully get a Scottish cup run going. Lets be honest his last remark "possibly" does appear to come with a shoulder shrug. COYB

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TheTrueBlue1878 added 01:37 - May 12 Just being respectful to all parties. It might be that Evans and himself aren't on the same pa....I.e like Sherwood. Just being smart.
2

itfc1981 added 03:14 - May 12 No chance... He didn't even praise Spurs.
0

trncbluearmy added 04:12 - May 12 One or two strange comments on here,what else can he say at this stage? Just being respectful to all concerned.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 04:21 - May 12 Bluewelshman: I think you're misinterpreting Ross's reaction: “What interests me is trying to reach the highest levels I can as a manager," doesn't sound like lack of ambition. I think he is just being careful not to get ahead of himself, and he is being honest about the situation. He can't really say much more at this stage. I'd say these are pretty positive qualities, actually.

32

muccletonjoe added 06:24 - May 12 No one should have any doubts that if he is offered the job of course he will take it , no doubts about that whatsoever. Does Evans want him or Hurst is the real question.
11

tractorboybig added 06:35 - May 12 appears most making comments on hear live in a dream world. We are the average going nowhere championship club who's management selection under evans has proved to be a grave yard,
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RegencyBlue added 07:21 - May 12 Don't see what else the guy can say at this point. He's not going to burn his boats at his current club on the possibility of being offered the Town job is he?
21

Bluedandy added 07:30 - May 12 We were an average going nowhere championship club under Mick McCarthy ... that's why the man is no longer here .... where exactly were Huddersfield going when David Wagner agreed to be their manager tractorboybig? And if we were already somewhere then the manager of St Mirren would not be on the radar - that's the point.
9

tractorboybig added 07:43 - May 12 bluedandy.........keane.....jewelll....mcarthy. look at the pattern. In evans I do not trust.
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jas0999 added 07:44 - May 12 On the contrary, I thought he seemed very interested. Excellent interview, very mature for a guy who is still inexperienced as a manager. Showed great respect to his current employer. Him, Hurst or even Parker would do very nicely.
11

trncbluearmy added 07:55 - May 12 Tractorboybig,give you Keane and Jewell,but McCarthy was a good and right appointment at the time. This time ME,now ten years into the job,is looking at a very different manager and looking at exactly the type of manager that has done very well at ITFC in the past. Any of the young successful managers mentioned suits me but Jack Ross ticks just about every box to make the most of what is still a very good,if slightly tired,football club.

16

SouperJim added 08:17 - May 12 If you've seen the interview, when asked if he would take the job, there was a long pause as a huge grin spread over his face, then he responded "I'd listen to what they have to say". He smiled through the whole interview and his demeanor etc throughout suggested he is very interested. Of course he's going to be respectful to his current employer, but I got the impression if he is offered the job he'll have Marcus's arm off.

12

itfcserbia added 08:27 - May 12 I'm just glad to see that a manager who just signed a new contract with his current club is ahead of Tim Sherwood with the bookies. That being said, Paul Hurst remains number one for me. I quite liked what I saw from Shresburry the other night - a lot of good movement, ball on the ground, creative set pieces and a cracking goal scored.
5

itsonlyme added 08:38 - May 12 He says the right things. I would take him in an instant. Scotland has a habit of producing fine managers and we could do a lot worse.
8

ArnieM added 08:45 - May 12 Ha ha , who is interviewing who? I already like his style!
4

braveblue added 09:37 - May 12 I think he is concerned that Evans lack of investment will mean that he can't compete. I suspect he may say no.
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Tony88 added 09:51 - May 12 If he was not interested why has he agreed to a second interview?
9

martin587 added 09:54 - May 12 An excellent interview from the guy.Talking sense and not being disrespectful to his employers.He obviously has a very good relationship with the club and owner. Seems the sort of guy Mr.Evans is looking for. Has also performed very well as a manager so deserves the opportunity for an interview.Whether he would want to move his family south It he were to be offered the job could be a big factor in many things offered to him.Hurst and Ross have both impressed me but I'm sure there are quite a few more contenders that will come into the frame,or under the radar. Exciting times ahead.🤞🤞

13

bluearmy78 added 10:38 - May 12 I live up in Scotland & I know that Scottish football isn't the best but Jack Ross won the league with St Mirren at an absolute canter playing good attacking football. He was even named Scottish Manager of the year beating Brendan Rodgers, ok not in the same league as Rodgers but just shows that this guy is very highly rated. I personally would like Hurst but I wouldn't be overly disappointed if Jack Ross got the job, we must be very interested in him otherwise we wouldn't be asking St Mirren to speak to him.

13

BluedanW added 12:42 - May 12 I agree with others on here. He is being respectful of his current club which is good to see and is keeping his cards close to the table. He sounds like he wants to progress as high as he can which ipswich definately would be a step in the right direction. Despite anybodies criticisms of Marcus Evans, I'm sure he wouldn't offer him a second interview if he wasn't keen on joining the club. Obviously he has to agree personal terms before signing like we all do when we sign a new job contract. Let's hope hes food at persuading evans to splash some cash.

4

dirtydingusmagee added 13:14 - May 12 is it nearly August yet ?
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