ST MIRREN defender Gary MacKenzie insists the identity of the new Saints manager doesn’t matter to him – he is looking forward to a fresh start at the Paisley 2021 Stadium regardless of who takes the job.

St Mirren are set to name Alex Rae’s successor this week with Alloa manager Jack Ross, Queen’s Park gaffer Gus MacPherson, former Buddie Jamie Fullarton and former Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen the names still in the running.

But MacKenzie says the players are trying to ignore the speculation and concentrate on matters on the park while he is adamant the new appointment will be a chance for the Buddies to draw a line under a difficult start to the season which sees them bottom of the SPFL Championship.

He said: “I’ve not paid attention to the speculation. It doesn’t matter who the manager is, you know as a player you have to go and prove that you should be playing.

“Whether it is someone you have known before of not, all the players have to go out and prove to him that they should be in the team. 

“If that means players find an extra five or 10 per cent that can only be a good thing.

“Everybody will be in the same boat. It’s a clean start. Players who haven’t been playing have the chance to show the manager why they should be in the team.”

“It can only be a good thing. We weren’t playing well and hopefully we can build on Saturday when the new manager comes in.

Tom Walsh’s late equaliser earned Saints a 1-1 draw against an in-form Falkirk on Saturday. 

Despite not yet registering a league win this season MacKenzie thinks there have been signs of improvement under interim manager Allan McManus.

He added: “It’s a start, we can hopefully take some positives out of it.

We want to win games but it is important that we have something to build on and that could be it.

“There were signs there that the boys were playing with a bit more freedom and confidence.”