St Mirren’s new assistant manager James Fowler says that the “exciting” squad that he and new boss Jack Ross have inherited can quickly claw their way out of trouble in the Championship.

Fowler, who was in charge of Queen of the South for two years before leaving the Palmerston club in April, was named as new gaffer Ross’s number two yesterday.

While St Mirren currently sit rock bottom of the table and have yet to record a win in their eight league games so far this season, Fowler sees enough in their ranks to suggest they are currently in a false position.

And he says that with both he and Ross at the helm, the negativity surrounding the club of late will soon be blown away.

“I’ve been to a few games this season as well so I’ve seen the current squad, exciting young players here as well a few older experienced heads so I think there is a really good blend and we’re just looking forward to getting started working with them," Fowler said.

“I think it is a great opportunity to be able to help Jack. I’ve done that role of manager as well, I know roughly what he will be expecting of me having been in that position myself so I’m here to work with him and obviously Allan McManus as well and we’re really excited with the group of players we have got. We’re not in a great position just now but it is all positive looking forward and catching the teams above us.

“It’s been a whirlwind last 36, 48 hours. Obviously with Jack getting the job I just sent him a wee message congratulating him and he said that there might be an opportunity to come in and it was something that I was really positive about and I’m delighted to be here.

“I’ve known him [Jack Ross] for a long time just within the circles of football but I’ve been keeping track of what he has been doing as well at Alloa. I’ve been over to see him the last few weeks when he has been there and I’m delighted to come in and I’m looking forward to working with him full-time.”

Fowler will take in today’s Irn-Bru Cup fourth round clash with Hibernian at Easter Road, but it will mainly be a watching brief with Allan McManus taking charge of the side.

“I’m going to go, I’ll just be in the Boardroom I think having a look at the players probably without having too much input,” he said.

“We’ll leave that till Jack starts on Monday but if there is anything there that I can help Allan with once I’m in the door, that’s me here.”

The appointment of Fowler is the first step in former Alloa manager Ross putting his own stamp on the backroom set-up at the club, and he thanked the St Mirren hierarchy for their support in bringing his own man in.

"I am delighted to be able to bring James to the club and thank the board for their assistance in doing so,” said Ross.

"James has a great pedigree in the game as a player and has enjoyed success as a manager in his own right.

“These attributes and experiences ensure that he will be an asset to both me and the club as we strive to drive upwards."