St Mirren boss Jack Ross is reportedly set to hold talks with the Blues for a second time today.

According to the Daily Record, Ross will meet with Town again today having initially spoken to owner Marcus Evans last week.

As reported by TWTD yesterday, they similarly understand Ross and Shrewsbury manager Paul Hurst are now the only two contenders to take over at Portman Road.

While Ross greatly impressed Evans at their previous meeting, Town remain keen to speak to Hurst, but talks won’t take place with the former Ilkeston, Boston and Grimsby boss until after Shrewsbury’s League One play-off final against Rotherham a week on Sunday.

In his recent interview with iFollow, Evans said he expected to make the appointment late in May or in early June and that remains his timetable as things stand.

However, it’s not impossible that that could change if Evans becomes convinced that Ross is the man to succeed Mick McCarthy prior to Hurst being in a position to discuss the role.

Ross is an increasingly strong favourite to take over at Town, now at 3-1 odds-on with Bet Victor, with Hurst at 6-1 and Tim Sherwood, who was also interviewed, at 16-1.

Scott Parker, another of those interviewed by Evans, and Simon Grayson are at 20-1, while George Burley, Graham Potter, Paul Cook, John McGreal, Mark Warburton, who is the 13-8 favourite for the Bradford job, Shefki Kuqi, who wasn’t interviewed by despite applying, and Tony Mowbray are all at 25-1.

Photo: Allan Picken

bluerthanthou added 09:17 - May 17 Looking forward to reading your comments on this, lads.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 09:23 - May 17 whilst most fans would be pleased if we get Hurst, the way Ross is seemed to be treated dosnt sit well, he gets two interviews then kept hanging until after Hurst is interviewed.Should Hurst succeed in getting Shrews promoted he may wish to stay there, then Ross is contacted being second choice, hardly likely to be impressed is he, he could turn round and say poke it.

5

tomitfc added 09:23 - May 17 Unless they were finalising a contract I don't understand why there would be a second meeting? Can anyone be so kind to explain the process?
9

martin587 added 09:24 - May 17 From what I've heard and read about Mr.Ross he seems a very honest and genuine person.I just hope Mr.Evans makes the right decision. Fingers crossed he will get it correct this time.🤞
27

DJpatrovers1 added 09:24 - May 17 2nd round of talks can only be a positive RE Ross, personally leaning more towards Hurst however the More I read/hear about Ross, the better it gets, sign up him...?!!!
12

wokingblue added 09:24 - May 17 Wouldn't be disappointed with this. Don't know lots about him but what I have read he fits the bill precisely. Lets keep away from a football "name" and focus on the guy and what he will bring to the club. Lets grow and build success together. There will be no short cuts.
19

dirtydingusmagee added 09:25 - May 17 Ross IN !
15

bluearmy78 added 09:26 - May 17 My lad has just been on St Mirren's Twitter page & they're all saying that Ross will be named our manager by the weekend, Monday at the latest! He definitely seems to be in the hot seat & I would gladly welcome him. Hurst would be my preferred choice but have the club actually been interested him?
14

stig4532 added 09:26 - May 17 The absolute perfect fit for Town. Good man management Knows when he's in the wrong and understands fan's frustration at times Plays attacking football, playing from midfield and rarely uses physical forwards. Sign him up!
20

Bad_Boy_Mark added 09:26 - May 17 Lets hope these talks are productive and Marcus gets the best man for the job! It feels as though we are on cusp of some very exciting times, and I can't wait for the new season to start! Imagine Portman Road rocking at the first home game - good times are ahead! COYB!
23

juniorblue added 09:27 - May 17 Everything I read about Jack Ross makes me think that he is the right fit for Town. We have to trust in ME (go straight for Ross or wait to speak to Hurst). It is a difficult one, but exciting too. Let's see what happens and get behind the new Manager for a new era at Town.
22

BlueBlood90 added 09:29 - May 17 If it is purely between Ross & Hurst as reported then I'm very happy either way and you'd have to give credit to Marcus Evans. It would've been easy for him to ignore what the fans want and go with a Mick McCarthy recommendation like Simon Grayson or a merry go round manager like McClaren or Pardew. I'd be surprised if Ross isn't appointed if talks go well today. It would be a massive gamble to wait a further fortnight to speak to Paul Hurst and potentially miss out on Jack Ross by not making him feel like he's first choice.

32

itfcitk added 09:33 - May 17 2nd interview will be because playing and coaching staff are really not sure about Ross. The Scottish Championship is not of the standard of the championship. I can see this ending in tears if it happens.
-29

Mark added 09:34 - May 17 Interesting. Perhaps we will appoint Ross this weekend. 11 more days is a long time to wait to speak with Hurst in the circumstances of having met Ross for a second time, then maybe Hurst won't want to come here after a potential play off win and someone else could sneek in and take Ross. Hmmm... Anyway, I am glad the focus is on these two rather than the journeymen managers or inexperienced ex-players.

18

dirtydingusmagee added 09:35 - May 17 Ross in tomorrow ,and the dust can settle all the guessing and doubting would be over team and fans know where they are ,get the feel good factor ,and start getting organised. Lets get the show on the road.
12

terryf added 09:39 - May 17 A second interview is not uncommon these days. If ME is impressed he may make a decision early, although waiting a further 10 days to interview Hurst may be preferred. He'll probably have more idea once he's interviewed Ross again. Exciting times. Both look to play attractive football which is what we all crave after MM. Also think Rotherham will win the playoff with OUR Josh scoring the winner!!!!

12

Lightningboy added 09:41 - May 17 @dirtydingus - I agree! I'm still trying to figure out why so many are falling over themselves over Hurst?...I knew very little about him up until a few weeks ago and I suspect the same for many others. They both sound like very good candidates but if Ross is keen and the more “available” of the two then let's please just get this done asap before it all goes t1ts up..which knowing us we'll find a way of achieving.

14

terryf added 09:44 - May 17 Should have added....how does the saying go? ''A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush''.....Ross it is then??
5

itfcserbia added 09:52 - May 17 "Ross and Shrewsbury manager Paul Hurst are now the only two contenders to takeover at Portman Road" - get in!
8

vanmunt added 09:58 - May 17 Taking the mickey if we delay appointing Ross to wait for an interview with Hurst who might not want the job. Lets not mess about, if Ross is keen then why wait.
10

Europablue added 09:58 - May 17 Sign him up!
6

PortmanTerrorist added 09:59 - May 17 Let's be calm. ME is a bright guy and will have learned from his mistakes, though one could argue there were no complaints when he brought in Keane, and MM did get us out of a hole in the first place. Presume there was contact with Ross last week to establish if he was interested, being a straight up guy he will have told ME "yes" but to clear things with his current Club, and having done that ME now has to pitch his backside off to:- - convince him to come down - that he will have autonomy in running the team, within the ITFC framework - that he could get promoted without significant investment If ME can convince him of the latter and Ross accepts that, then we potentially have one ambitious and capable manager. I can back that!

15

12th_Man added 10:02 - May 17 Don't mess this up Evans
5

Southamptonblue added 10:04 - May 17 I for one would welcome our new Scottish overlord.
9

Nazemariner added 10:04 - May 17 Sounds like this one is agreed in principal, with today's meeting (if indeed there is one) being about ironing out details. Welcome to PR Jacko! 7th place, lots of goals, and at least one win against the budgies, and i'll be a happy man
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