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Craig Mc Leish has been preparing St Mirren for Falkirk's visit on Saturday Craig Mc Leish is "comfortable" about taking the St Mirren manager's job permanently "if the opportunity came up right now" after a week as caretaker whetted his appetite for the role. Chief executive Keith Lasley said on Thursday the Scottish Premiership club are considering candidates who had applied for the job - and those the club had approached. He added they are seeking someone to "galvanise" the side sitting third bottom of the table and Mc Leish, who was recently promoted from the academy to look after the transition of players from youth set-up to the first team, expects some clarity by the middle of next week. "People who are close to me know that this is what I want to do, " he said. "This is what I want my career to be. "But I'm in no rush with it. I'm just enjoying the experience right now and hopefully it sets me up well. " D-day for Livi in Kilmarnock; Mc Innes & Stewart in focus 'St Mirren want to interview Dunfermline's Lennon' - gossip St Mirren want next boss to 'galvanise' team Mc Leish was appointed on a temporary basis alongside head of youth development Allan Mc Manus and goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield following the departure of Stephen Robinson to Aberdeen. He has "loved all aspects of it" so far despite the disappointment of a 1-0 home defeat by third-top Rangers in their first game in charge. "If it's to the end of the season, or if a manager comes in next week, I hope I've shown to the club and to everyone that I can handle it, " Mc Leish, 35, said. "If the opportunity came up right now, I'm comfortable. If it doesn't, I'm in no rush. My whole plan and thought about it is longevity of my career. " Mc Leish knows there are examples where "young coaches go in maybe a bit soon" and it ends their managerial career because that first job does not go well. However, he stressed: "You might not get other opportunities and chances. You can't time that. You can't decide when you get opportunities. You just have to be ready for them to come. " Mc Leish realises the timing, with St Mirren only above the relegation play-off place on goal difference and also in a Scottish Cup semi-final with Celtic, makes appointing the right team boss crucial, but he is sure his immediate future lies with the Paisley club whatever is decided. "If they bring someone in, I know I'm going to be part of that team and staff anyway - I'm still here long-term, " said Mc Leish, who played predominantly in Scottish Leagues 1 and 2. "I just want the club to do well whatever it decides to do but I have to back my own ability in this current situation. " St Mirren are the lowest scorers in the Premiership and, as he prepares to take his side to Falkirk, the scene of their only away league win of the season, Mc Leish's immediate priority is to "carry more threat in the final third". Mc Glynn 'understands' Mc Ginn's St Mirren link Visit our St Mirren page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get St Mirren news notifications in the BBC Sport app One final experiment? Unpicking Tuchel's latest England squad O'Sullivan makes highest-ever break with historic 153 Mc Cullum set to stay following England's Ashes review Watch every episode of the award-winning gangster saga The true story of Birmingham's most notorious gang Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan discuss their intense new film Cillian Murphy curates a Peaky Blinders mixtape 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How Mc Tominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs Mc Cullum set to stay following England's Ashes review The Man Utd prodigy still too young to play senior football How Gray is proving a shining light in Tottenham's season of turmoil 'I thought I'd be bleeped by BBC' - but Hunt's words resonate Weekly sports quiz: Who is youngest top-flight scorer? Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory. .. Video Football In 10 Years: When Hugh met Jacqui met Nedum met Rory. .. Afcon final chaos - key questions answered What's behind Super League's injury crisis? Why ex-Palace winger Olise is now in Ballon d'Or contention at Bayern 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Video'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Inside the state school at the top of English rugby union 'Looking like the Hamilton of old' and potential rule changes - F1 Q&A Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.