ST MIRREN chairman Gordon Scott yesterday vowed to back new manager Alan Stubbs in the transfer market by allowing him to sign up to six or seven players if he feels it is necessary.
Eight players were released upon expiry of their contracts at the end of the club’s Championship-winning season, with Paul McGinn and Jim Kellerman coming in so far during the summer transfer window. And Scott says that there is scope to replenish those numbers with players of sufficient quality to compete well in the Premiership.
“Alan will have to look at the existing squad and see what he thinks he needs. But without moving anyone out we probably need at least six or seven players.
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“It depends what he wants - he might want to run with a smaller squad with Academy players making up the numbers.”
The willingness of Stubbs to give young players a chance was a key factor in the 46-year-old landing the position, and Scott hopes that those already established in the first-team, like 19-year-old Kyle Magennis, hang around to continue learning their trade under the new man at the helm.
“We made it clear we want to keep developing players,” said Scott. “The players we’ve brought through have helped fund a lot of the success we’re having just now and that will continue.
“Kyle Magennis is probably the key man just now and we don’t want to lose an exceptional player like him for a long time.
“I’ve heard people are interested in Kyle but nobody has actually approached us. I’d expect him to be here next season.
“If we’d been in the Championship it might have been harder to keep him but he’s got a lot to learn and he can do that in the Scottish Premiership.”
Scott revealed that another factor that helped Stubbs stand out from a large, high-quality pool of applicants was his preference for an attacking style of play.
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“Alan ticks every box in terms of the football we want to play and the experience we’re looking for in a manager, so he’s perfect for us,” he said.
“The first target is to stay in the league, but I just want to enjoy my football and entertain the fans and bring supporters back.
“That’s much more important than finishing seventh. I obviously want to finish sixth but in terms of a couple of positions, I’d rather enjoy my football and stay in the league than be bored every week.
“But we’ve got every chance of being up there this season. If Kilmarnock can do it, then why can’t we? It’s not a target we’re setting but if we could end up top six I’d be delighted.
“I can’t stress enough the emphasis on entertaining. It’s an entertainment industry. I’d rather enjoy my football and finish ninth than be bored to tears and finish seventh.
“The difference between finishing seventh and ninth isn’t much. It’s barely an extra player. But if you play good football and get a couple of thousand fans through the door then it’s financially better.”
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