Former Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson is on the verge of landing the St Mirren job - and being charged with the task of leading the Paisley club straight into Europe.
Record Sport can reveal he is set to be named as Jim Goodwin ’s successor after a six figure compensation package was thrashed out to secure the Northern Irishman’s release from current club Morecambe.
St Mirren have held talks with a number of high profile candidates over the last week including Jack Ross, Scott Brown and Steven Naismith.
Aberdeen skipper Brown was given permission to speak to the club and is still scheduled to hold a virtual meeting with the board on Monday night.
But sources close to St Mirren are adamant that Robinson has been their preferred option from the moment Goodwin was head-hunted to become Brown’s boss at Pittodrie.
And they insist the 47-year-old’s track record over three years at Fir Park - where he reached two cup finals and led the Lanarkshire club into the Europa League qualifiers - made him their No.1 choice.
Robinson took training at Morecambe this morning as the League One outfit continued preparing to face Rotherham tomorrow.
But talks between both clubs were going on behind the scenes and after a fee was agreed Robinson was granted permission to open his own discussions with St Mirren.
It’s understood those conversations are already at an advanced stage and Robinson could be appointed in time for Wednesday night’s top flight trip to Dundee.
Our source said: “Stephen was always our preferred choice. He has a history of developing young players and selling them on for big money while also achieving European football during his time at Motherwell.
“He is hungry, ambitious and driven and has been impressed by the vision of St Mirren’s board. The deal is not yet done but it’s at an advanced stage and the club have already told him the target is to qualify for Europe this season.”
