NEW St Mirren boss Ian Murray has warned his players and any potential new signings: it's my way or the highway.

The former Dumbarton manager is hopeful of holding on to senior figures such as Steven Thompson and Jim Goodwin, and also wants to add at least eight new players to his squad as he gears up for next season. Murray, though, is determined to put his own stamp on the recently-relegated Paisley outfit including introducing training sessions every Sunday. The 34 year-old understands that might not be to the liking of every player - especially the older ones with young families - but revealed that anyone who does not fancy being a part of the new regime would be better off playing elsewhere.

He told Times Sport: "We want to try to change a few things, predominantly for the benefit of the younger guys. We'll be in every Sunday for training as that's what we want to do. To some older guys that might not appeal as they've got young families. I understand that, but our younger players are more important to us at this point. So we'll come in on Sundays and have Mondays off. If some players don't want to do it then there are no hard feelings. But it's the way I'm going to do it regardless of who is here.

"I'm a young manager so you're going to have guys older than you in the changing room. If they don't want to buy into what you're doing then they can go. It's as simple as that. We're quite honest about it. If they don't want to come in on a Sunday then we're not going to be able to work together.

"Anyone coming in has to subscribe to what we want to do. You have to be honest with them. There's no point telling them what we're doing after they've signed. You do that and the trust is lost right away. All the young boys have bought into it, their enthusiasm has been terrific."

Murray, though, is hopeful talisman Thompson - a former team-mate at Rangers - will extend his stay at the club.

He added: "Thommo is just back from his holiday so we'll have a chat. The initial signs are we want him to stay. There's no offer on the table yet as we need to speak money. If we can get him at a level we think is value for money - and he's receptive to how we want to do things and change things - then fine. Stevie in this league would be a handful. His experience could be vital. There's no doubt he wants to stay. It's just about trying to sort something out. If he asks for stuff outside our budget it will be a straight 'no' but he's not daft."

Murray, who is looking to make former Dumbarton coach Mark Spalding his Number 2, is also hopeful of persuading midfielder John McGinn to stay. The 20 year-old is out of contract but any club wanting to sign him would need to pay St Mirren compensation.

Murray added: "We've had one enquiry for him and that didn't come near what we wanted. My gut feeling is that until an acceptable offer comes in John can't go anywhere. Those are the rules. We would rather he signed here off his own back which would be brilliant. But if an offer comes in that we feel is value for money he will leave. As things stand I think he'll still be here next season but that can change.

"I think another couple of years here would do him good and I've said that to him. I told him we would get a better move than he will get now as he'll have more experience and will be a better player. Hopefully he'll be part of a winning team too. We won't make him sign a 10-year deal. But if he gives us two years we'll get him a better move."

Murray will also hold talks with former Dumbarton ace Scott Agnew about a possible deal when the player returns from holiday, but warned there is interest from at least three other clubs.