Stephen Robinson admits it’s looking more than likely that Curtis Main has played his last game for the Buddies.
The striker has been a mainstay in the St Mirren side since joining from Aberdeen two years ago.
Main has found his best form under current boss Robinson, who worked wonders with the 30-year-old previously at Motherwell.
The St Mirren manager says the huge finances on offer down in England mean the Paisley club can’t compete when it comes to wages.
That means Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Rangers will probably be the last time he dons the black and white stripes.
Robinson told Paisley Daily Express Sport: “Curtis is very unlikely to stay.
“When you are getting double and triple your money offers in England’s League One and Two then you need to just admit that you are not going to get there.
“Curtis has been absolutely excellent for me, he’s been terrific every time he has played and he’s earned the right for possibly one more big move.
“Even on Saturday he was playing with an injection in his foot and he’s given absolutely everything.
“That’s the kind of quality people we have inside this building and I wish him nothing but the best if he moves on.”
There was more promising signing news on the Joe Shaughnessy front, with the club captain nearing an agreement on an extension.
That will depend on other targets, too, with Robinson working hard to bring in quality reinforcements when the summer transfer window swings open.
Robinson said: “With regards to Joe, we are close. He has been a big part of things both on and off the pitch but people have decisions to make.
“We are actively looking at those positions, so it’s just really about what drops first.
“I don’t think it is massive surgery needed. More numbers would be good, but that’s always a challenge because you can’t run with a really big squad. We can’t afford to do that but we can try and improve certain areas.
“The hard bit is to try and improve what you have got or what you have lost for the same money, but we are confident we can do that. We are searching high and low to do that, the biggest challenge is getting better or different.”
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