ST MIRREN hope to have their new boss in place before next weekend’s Irn-Bru Cup clash with Hibernian.

Billy Davies and Neil Warnock both held talks with the Buddies board, while Jack Ross and Gus MacPherson have been linked with the Paisley post.

And Saints chairman Gordon Scott is confident he will get the right man for the job as the search continues for Alex Rae’s successor.

Scott said: “We started the process by aiming high and approached a couple of ex-English Premier League managers.

“It was always going to be a long shot but I believed, after meeting them, that one of them might have paid off but it wasn't to be.

“With the breaking news in England regarding the managerial scandal, I feel it's no coincidence that one of them may be waiting it out to see if anything becomes available down south.

“However, it was worth a try and we thank him for coming in to speak to us. We had a few productive chats and I gained valuable insight into what it takes to be a top manager.

“After that we then looked closer to home and had another worthwhile conversation with one of the leading agents in Scottish football.

“One of his clients was high on our list to interview but unfortunately, as it stands, he wants another crack at trying to be a success in England and we wish him will.

“We have now whittled down our list and hope to finish the interviewing process early next week with the aim of having someone in place prior to next Saturday's trip to Easter Road to face Hibernian in the IRN-BRU Cup.”