Gary Teale willing to stay on under new coach

Gary Teale: Prepared to stay and learn. Picture: SNS

The Saints board have been in talks with an Argentine consortium led by lawyer Ricardo Pini over a £1.5 million takeover. Reports in Spain claim Pini’s group may have turned their attention to Catalan outfit Girona FC – who play a division below La Liga – but sources close to the deal previously claimed an agreement with the Paisley outfit was close. If it does go through, the Argentines want to appoint Guillermo Almada, the former coach of Uruguayan side Club Atletico River Plate.

Teale last week shot down suggestions he might work as a No 2 to the inexperienced David Thompson when the former Liverpool midfielder’s name was put forward by an English syndicate. But the 36-year-old would consider dropping down the pecking order if the new coach arrives with a sparkling CV.

The former Scotland winger said: “I’ve been informed that there have been discussions but I don’t know how far down the line it is. It does seem that it is the closest they have come [to a deal] from all the talks they have had with different groups over the years.

“I’ve been in the game a long time so I do know that, when new owners come in, they do like to bring in their own guy. I would obviously like to stay on as manager. I’ve enjoyed it so far. But if they do come in and bring with them an experienced manager with a good pedigree from over there in South America I would be foolish not to stay and work with them.

“I’m still learning my trade so, if I can pick someone’s brains, then that is an opportunity I’d like to take.”

Teale will remain in charge for today’s crucial Premiership clash with Ross County as the duo fight it out at the bottom of the table.

With the sides level on 11 points, Teale hopes new signing Joann Arquin can prove the difference by gunning down a Staggies side he quit just two weeks ago. The interim boss added: “There is still a long way to go in the season but, psychologically, it could be massive for whichever side wins. We’ll go up there hoping that we can put that wee bit of daylight between ourselves and County. We’ve been lacking something up top for most of the season so that’s why we’ve brought big Joann in. Big Stevie Thompson has been out for pretty much the entire season so far.

“Those are big shoes to fill but we’ve just not managed to get the goals, despite having created enough chances. But the qualities Joann has got with his size, pace in behind and link-up play will hopefully bring a few goals. Does he have a point to prove to County? I certainly hope so.

“It doesn’t matter what circumstances you leave a club in, even if you go for £5million you always want to go back and do well against your old side.”

Craig Curran has only played one game for Ross County but saw enough to convince him that they can avoid relegation. The 25-year-old signed until the end of the season on 2 January after leaving Nuneaton Town, and scored on his debut at Dundee to earn Jim McIntyre’s side a point. The result was all the sweeter given that the visitors had been reduced to ten men when Terry Dunfield was sent off before the home side took the lead.

County’s home game against Partick Thistle last week was postponed due to a power failure but they still leapfrogged St Mirren into second-bottom after the Buddies lost 2-0 to Aberdeen

Curran, who began his career with Tranmere Rovers before spells with Carlisle United, Rochdale and Chester, among others, said: “It was a great start for me and good to get off the mark. The lads showed what great character there is in the dressing room.

“To go down and to come back with 10 men shows there is a lot there, which is encouraging. We have to get our heads down and work even harder.

“Every game is massive for us at the minute and it starts on Saturday. It just so happens that it is against a team that is around us. We will be treating it as we do every game and preparing like we do for every game to make sure we are ready.”