McLeish 'ready' to be permanent St Mirren boss

Craig McLeish has been preparing St Mirren for Falkirk's visit on Saturday [SNS] Craig McLeish is "comfortable" about taking the St Mirren manager's job permanently "if the opportunity came up right now" after a week as caretaker whetted his appetite for the role. Chief executive Keith Lasley said on Thursday the Scottish Premiership club are considering candidates who had applied for the job - and those the club had approached. He added they are seeking someone to "galvanise" the side sitting third bottom of the table and McLeish, who was recently promoted from the academy to look after the transition of players from youth set-up to the first team, expects some clarity by the middle of next week.

"People who are close to me know that this is what I want to do," he said. "This is what I want my career to be. "But I'm in no rush with it.

I'm just enjoying the experience right now and hopefully it sets me up well. " D-day for Livi in Kilmarnock; McInnes & Stewart in focus 'St Mirren want to interview Dunfermline's Lennon' - gossip St Mirren want next boss to 'galvanise' team McLeish was appointed on a temporary basis alongside head of youth development Allan McManus and goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield following the departure of Stephen Robinson to Aberdeen. He has "loved all aspects of it" so far despite the disappointment of a 1-0 home defeat by third-top Rangers in their first game in charge.

"If it's to the end of the season, or if a manager comes in next week, I hope I've shown to the club and to everyone that I can handle it," McLeish, 35, said. "If the opportunity came up right now, I'm comfortable. If it doesn't, I'm in no rush.