St Mirren must recruit to suit McLeish style - Flynn

Craig McLeish's chances of success with St Mirren will depend on the Paisley club recruiting players capable of playing the young manager's preferred system, suggests former Buddies midfielder Ryan Flynn.

McLeish took charge in March after Stephen Robinson moved to Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen.

"He is very assertive about how he wants to play," Flynn told the Scottish Football Podcast as he predicted that St Mirren would avoid another relegation battle while not challenging for the top six.

"I think he'll be aggressive, front foot, trying to press teams really high up.

"It depends on Gavin Miller and recruitment team and how they bring players to suit his style of play.

"There have got to be a lot more signings, especially at the top end of the pitch.

"They are needing ball carriers, width in attack and then everybody wants those goalscorers."

Flynn reckons the departure of captain Mark O'Hara to Kilmarnock and striker Mikael Mandron will be "a big loss", but he suggests the "fantastic" changes behind the scenes brought in by Robinson will help them transition.

"From top to bottom, it's been a complete overhaul," he said, pointing to improvements to the facilities, such the training ground and changing rooms.

"The form of the players and maybe the squad probably wasn't in a good place when he left, but the club as a whole is in a much better position moving forward."

Winning the League Cup last season after European football and top-six finishes was an example of a gradual progression for the club.

There was "a complete nosedive" in form after that: "But, luckily, the boys there pulled together and got over that line that makes it a memorable season because you can't be legends and get relegated in the same season.

"It would have really tarnished that."