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St Mirren interim manager Craig McLeish has been speaking to the media as the Buddies prepare for their trip to Falkirk on Saturday.
Here are the main points:
- McLeish has "loved every minute of it" since taking interim charge and says management is his longer-term goal but he's in "no rush".
- The 35-year-old admits he would take the St Mirren job full-time if offered and has "no doubt" he could do well.
- He adds: "If the opportunity came up right now, I'm comfortable. I'm fine. Whatever the club decide to do, if we take it on for another couple of weeks, we're ready to go with that. If it's to the end of the season, if a manager comes in next week, I'm in a place and I hope I've shown that to the club and to everyone that I can handle it."
- On the search for a new boss, McLeish says "the plan is still the middle of next week that the club have a clear plan and direction" and suggests it "might be the case" that an appointment is made at that time.
- He stresses "I'm still here long term" and will "back the team" regardless of what the club decide to do.
- He says St Mirren are grateful for the upcoming international break because "we get a little bit of time as a club to go through a slightly longer process" as they focus on making "the right appointment".
- St Mirren had two free agents training this week and McLeish says a signing could be announced today.
- St Mirren could drop into the relegation play-off spot this weekend and McLeish accepts "we have to pick up points, we have to pick up results and we have to start winning games".
- On the Buddies' attacking struggles: "We have to find some different solutions in the final third to add that to our game."
- Declan John may not be out for the season but will require surgery. Mikael Mandron "has recovered a bit quicker than we thought" while Keanu Baccus will be out long term.
- McLeish feels the squad is looking "a little bit stronger" but knows "we can't ask people to do too much".
