Saints heading to Sligo for new manager

After a few days of speculation since Derek McInnes left for Bristol City it appears Sligo Rovers manager Paul Cook has emerged as the favourite.

The Saints have made Paul Cook their number one target and are holding talks with the Sligo Rovers manager about the vacancy atMcDiarmidPark, and a compensation deal has been agreed between the clubs.

Cook has been in charge at the Showgrounds since 2007 following a short stint with Conference sideSouthport.

Bookmakers have slashed the odds on the 44-year-old Englishman being the successor to McInnes, his price having quickly shortened late on Monday to 1/4 - at one stage it had been 10/1.

Cook and McInnes were team-mates for a brief period atStockportand the Scotsman has been helping his former club with the selection process which may explain why the Liverpudlian is in the frame.

Saints Chairman Geoff Brown has been quick to stress today that no job offer has been made yet.

This does appear to be a bit of a departure for Brown in his selection criteria for the manager’s job. He has generally stayed inScotlandand gone for an up and coming Manager. I guess we can argue he has stuck with the idea of a youngish manager here, but this appears to be more of a gamble than sticking at home.

My only worry for them would be the past record of manager’s coming over fromIreland, Stephen Kenny atDunfermlinewho saw the Pars relegated. We currently have Kenny Shiels atKilmarnock who is struggling to win games at the moment.

At least they have thought outside the box…..