'He never wavered' - Rangers-linked Jim Gillespie staying put as St Mirren express delight over turn of events

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson says he is delighted vice-chairman Jim Gillespie is staying at the club in the face of interest from Rangers.

The Ibrox side had targeted the Buddies’ board member for their vacant chief executive position as they seek a replacment for James Bisgrove, who departed for a role in Saudi Arabia in May.

However, reports this week claimed that Gillespie would be remaining in Paisley, which has given Robinson a major boost as he prepares for the William Hill Premiership home game against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

“I am absolutely delighted,” said Robinson, who revealed defender Alex Iacovitti will be out until around Christmas with a tendon injury while Richard Taylor is struggling with an ongoing hernia problem which in time will probably require need an operation.

“I think it’s a huge bonus for St Mirren, a real bonus.

“At every football club you need a driver. You need somebody that has an ambition, a vision and that’s what sold me on the football club and he has been true to his word that he drove this football club.

St Mirren vice-chairman Jim Gillespie is staying with the club after holding talks with Rangers over their vacant CEO position. | SNS Group

“Previously, I believe that people would have been happy with going up and down and maybe finishing third from bottom.

“Now that is not even in our talk and all through this situation, I’ve spoken to Jim on a daily basis, and all we speak about is St Mirren and how we drive it forward.

“How we recruit in the next window, and how we do what we did again, and how do we better the facilities? How do we better the staff? So I think he’s a vital, vital part in this football club, moving forward.

“I know Jim’s staying. He never wavered from St Mirren the whole time that the stuff’s been in the press. It’s none of my business about other clubs or Jim’s personal business.

“All I’ve ever spoken to Jim about is, as I said, making St Mirren better and giving him an update on things on the pitch and off the pitch every day.

“And I’m delighted for that, because you always have the fear that the person driving the football club leaves, what that comes next? So it’s certainly a huge, huge plus for St Mirren.”

Robinson was less pleased to add two players to his injury list while he revealed Charles Dunne, who left the club at the end of last season, is training with the club.

He said: “Alex lacovitti is going to be out until round about Christmas time with a tendon injury so that’s disappointing.

“We’re getting some people back. Greg Kiltie is back training again, which is a positive news for us.

“Conor McMenamin is a few weeks away still, but making real good progress.

“We’ve got Richard Taylor struggling a little bit of a hernia, which is an ongoing thing from last season, and it’s just probably a matter of time before he needs the operation.

“So a little bit of a concern in that left sided centre-half position. But on the other hand, getting some more attacking players back into the fold, and obviously signing Kevin van Veen.”