STEVIE MALLAN hopes Gary Teale will be given the green light to remain as St Mirren boss next season.

The Buddies' relegation from the Premiership will be confirmed on Friday night if Motherwell beat Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

It has been a season to forget in Paisley as the Saints have toiled under both Tommy Craig and former Scotland internationalist Teale.

But midfielder Mallan is eager to see a bit of continuity at the club as they prepare for a Championship promotion challenge next term.

Mallan said: "He (Teale) has been brilliant for me. He helped me when I was coming through the under-20 team and when he got the job he pushed me into the first team.

"I can't thank him enough because he gave me the opportunity and helped me along with my career so much.

"He has helped me and the team. Everyone has a good relationship with Gary because he used to be a player, and he has good ideas.

"I hope he gets the job because I still want to work with him."

Mallan has been one of the few silver linings for St Mirren this season as he has turned an a number of impressive performances in black and white.

The 19-year-old was rewarded on Sunday night when he scooped the PFA Scotland goal of the season gong for his superb solo effort against Dundee.

Mallan said: "It's obviously not been the best season for St Mirren but that goal pushed me up a bit and gave me a wee bit of a lift as well.

"I hope I can score a few more goals before the end of the season never mind a goal like that."