Of the two in-house candidates for the St Johnstone manager’s job, one is in no doubt he would love it, while the other is undecided.
Youth coach Alec Cleland and club captain Jody Morris will prepare the Perth side for Saturday’s Tayside derby against Dundee United.
Cleland revealed he wants the post permanently, but Morris has yet to make his mind up.
Former United and Rangers man Cleland said: ”It’s been agreed that myself and Jody will take training today and tomorrow. We’ve put plans into place for the scenario of Derek going to Bristol so it’s not as if we’ve been caught out.
“I’m delighted to work with the squad. It might only be for two or three days but it will be a great experience for both myself and Jody.
”It’s temporary at the moment but I do see it as an opportunity. I’d be silly not to.
”Hopefully I’ll get a word with the chairman about the position because it is an attractive job. There’s no doubt about that.
”Whoever gets the job will inherit a strong squad thanks to all the good work of Derek and Tony. There’s no doubt there will be many people in for it.
”I think as a continuity candidate I can put my hand up. I’ve been working here for 2 years and the boys are used to working with me.
”So from that perspective I might be the obvious choice. But we don’t know Geoff Brown’s ideas on the position. He might be looking for experience.
”I don’t know how the boys feel. I’m sure he’ll speak to the likes of Jody, Dave (Mackay) and Callum (Davidson).”
Cleland revealed the role of caretaker boss is not a new one to him.
”I’ve done it before at Livingston before Richard Gough came in, and I did it at Inverness before Terry Butcher took over.
“The boys are giving me a wee bit of ribbing already. I think Cuptie (Mackay) was in the team at Livingston so he’s got a good memory!”
As for the United match, Cleland will be looking to pick up where McInnes left off.
Continued…
”I’m sure I’ll be speaking to Derek about the team. We’ve won four out of five so, without giving too much away, we won’t be radically overhauling the team and bringing in four or five under-19s!
”It’s a massive game for both teams. I’ve been involved in many derbies and the players will be up for it. The show must go on and we’ll be looking to keep things ticking over.”
Morris, meanwhile, is keeping his options open.
He said: ”I will be helping Alec with the team as we prepare for the United game. That is the first and foremost priority. That’s only right.
”It hasn’t been ideal timing but I spoke to Del around midnight and he informed me the idea was for me and Alec to handle the preparations for Saturday. I had no problem helping out with the team.
”But I’m not thinking beyond Saturday. It’s only fair I concentrate on United. It is a big derby and we want to do well.
”This is a short-term measure. Who knows what will happen further down the line? Let’s get this game out of the way.
”Whatever the chairman has in mind, the club’s last two appointments have been successful and I’m sure the chairman and his son won’t get it wrong with the next one.”
The last act of McInnes as Saints manager was to treat his squad to a breakfast in Bridge of Allan on Tuesday.
Morris said: ”It was a funny sort of goodbye. We couldn’t train because of the wonderful Scottish weather so the gaffer took the squad for breakfast and it was only right that he picked up the tab. It wasn’t at Gleneagles, but with the money he is on now maybe it should have been!
”He didn’t know if he had the Bristol job or not at that stage. But he knew that if he did get it he wouldn’t be here for training on Thursday.
”That’s the type of guy Del is. Rather than be embarrassed if he didn’t get the job he wanted to at least say goodbye to them and see what happened later. He has got really close to these players.”
There is speculation from England that former Saints striker Graeme Jones, who is currently assistant manager at Wigan, would be interested in the job.
However, he dismissed the speculation.
He said: ”I look back fondly on my time in Perth and Saints are a fine club but I have no plans to go back. I am fully committed to Wigan and relishing life in the Premiership.”