NEW St Mirren manager Jack Ross is convinced he can put the Saints back on track for a return to the Premiership during his time at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The 40-year-old takes over after Alex Rae's sacking last month with the Buddies bottom of the Championship and without a win in the first eight matches.

Under new ownership Saints are setting long term targets on and off the pitch, which top flight football is a part of for both Ross and the club's new board.

Ross had two years as a player in Paisley, something he believes will help him feel immediately at home on Greenhill Road. That spell, coupled with discussions with chairman Gordon Scott and chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick, was more than enough to persuade the former full back that the club has the potential to get back to the top.

He said: "I can walk into the stadium straight away and feel comfortable because I'm familiar with it.

"I was lucky enough to play here when we were a fairly established Premiership club so I understand it is by no means unrealistic to get back there.

"The club should be there, it is easy to say it but doing it is the challenge.

"I understand that there is a hugely passionate fan base here that can become frustrated if things don't go right on the pitch, I get that and it doesn't faze me, that's part of the job as a manager.

"I know that if I get things right on the park the fan base will provide and enormously positive support.

"To get the opportunity to manage full-time is exciting. But when you marry that with the potential of this club, I think that is the biggest attraction.

"The new ownership at the club and the potential that is there is something that will lead to an exciting future for the club if I can get things right on the park."

Ross was cautious about set targets for the remainder of this season just yet. However arriving in Paisley at an early stage of the season and with only a nine-point gap to the promotion play-offs, is enough for Ross not to write off a promotion charge just yet.

He said: "The initial task is to start winning games. I do set targets and goals with players and I'll do that again. I believe that they can climb the league quickly and get into a competitive position.

"The points difference between the play-offs and where we are at the moment is not huge but equally we need to start winning games sooner rather than later to have a chance at doing that."

The new boss will not be at St Mirren's Irn-Bru Cup tie against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday, he will take charge of Alloa for the last time when they travel to Wales to face Bala Town in the same competition, before taking training at St Mirren's Ralston complex for the first time on Monday.

It is an arrangement which was part of the conditions of his contract, one Ross says was important for him to honour and that his new employers were happy with.

He explained: "I had a contractual notice period within my agreement. All parties involved in the negotiations were comfortable to respect that. For me it's important because I have a huge amount of respect for the chairman at Alloa, the players I have worked with and the club as a whole.

"I know it is slightly unusual in football but in other walks of life it is not. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to do some work in terms of prepping myself for starting on Monday."

In making the move Ross will swap managing a part-time squad for a full-time squad. The quality of the Saints squad and the infrastructure of the club was another attraction to the job according to the the former Dumbarton assistant.

He explained: "The structure is terrific with the stadium, the training ground and the new ownership. Married to that is there is a playing squad which undoubtedly has quality within it.

"That's comforting for me as a manager because I'm coming to work with good materials, there are good players here, the challenge for me is to get the best from them. "

Meanwhile St Mirren have yet to appoint Ross' assistant but are believed to be in talks with Dunfermline Athletic coach and former Saints defender John Potter.

Ross hopes to have someone in place for his first day at the club on Monday.

He added: "I have identified somebody and we're in the middle of trying to bring him to the club, he is with another club at the moment so it is outwith our hands to a degree.

"If that goes through I'll be delighted but if not we have alternatives but ideally I would like someone in place for Monday."