IBROX ROLE WAS NOT FOR ME... BUDDIES ARE IN MY BLOOD

St Mirren's vice-chairman Jim Gillespie insists he turned down a move to Rangers because he is “embedded in” with his Buddies.

- TAYLOR MURRAY

Earlier this season, the Ibrox outfit were rumoured to be pursuing Gillespie in their search for a new chief executive officer [CEO] before appointing former Manchester United CEO Patrick Stewart.

Now, in an interview on SunSport’s Coffee Club podcast, Gillespie has revealed why he has stayed put in Paisley despite interest from Gers and other clubs.

“I’ve always respected anyone who comes and asks for a conversation or a cup of coffee with you,” he told the podcast. “I’ve had conversations with other teams since Rangers.

“Rangers are a massive institution, a great organisation, and ultimately you have those conversations.

“Whether it’s Rangers or there's other clubs, you've got to listen.”

Alongside Saints, the 47-year-old is CEO of Renfrewshire charity Kibble — whom he joined in 2014 as an executive director — before being promoted to his current role three years later.