Last updated on .From the section St Mirren

Jim Goodwin and Steven Thompson left St Mirren in 2016

Jim Goodwin has agreed to become St Mirren manager after the Scottish Premiership club were given permission by Alloa Athletic to speak to him.

The Paisley club moved for their former club captain after Oran Kearney left following 10 months in charge.

The 37-year-old kept part-time Alloa in the Scottish Championship last season having won promotion the previous term.

St Mirren are in Northern Ireland for pre-season training as an official announcement is awaited from the club.

Former Scotland striker Steven Thompson says his former St Mirren team-mate would "absolutely" have the backing of St Mirren fans.

"Stepping up to full-time management is the next logical step," Thompson said.

"I know Jim's very keen to do that. He's proved himself capable - you just have to look at what he achieved at Alloa. They had the smallest budget in the Championship, so to keep them up was a massive feat.

"He'd absolutely get the backing of the supporters if he was given the opportunity. He was a firm fans' favourite when he was captain. He is a leader, he's an inspirational guy and he would be top of my list."

Kearney was absent when St Mirren's players returned for pre-season training on Monday, while Hamilton Academical and Livingston - who comprised the bottom four with the Paisley side and relegated Dundee last season - have already made several signings.

After League Cup group games against Dunfermline Athletic, Edinburgh City, East Kilbride and Albion Rovers, St Mirren face Hibernian, Aberdeen and Rangers in the Premiership.

"It'll be extremely tough," Thompson warned. "I'm predicting St Mirren will still be playing catch-up come Christmas time.

"A St Mirren manager will not have the biggest budget, so he's got to get the best out of the players that are there and sign well. Recruitment's so incredibly important and there's not a lot of time."