St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson says his club's gain is his former's loss after Motherwell legend Keith Lasley's decision to join the Buddies.
The Fir Park hero has been an assistant manager in ML1 since calling a day on his playing career in 2017, but will leave this summer to become Saints' chief operating officer.
Lasley spent all but two years of his 18-year playing career in claret and amber, serving as number two to Robinson when he was in charge at Motherwell.
The Northern Irishman believes it's a positive appointment for St Mirren after the 42-year-old's studies in a sporting directorship course.
Robinson said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic appointment. Contrary to popular belief, I had absolutely nothing to do with it.
"The wheels were in motion long before I came to the club, it was a thorough process with some very good candidates that I had nothing to do with.
“But I think it’s a tremendous appointment, to have a football man, who has been in Scottish football for so long. To have someone of that ilk responsible for all things football shows the club is moving in the right direction.
“Keith decided a few years ago that that’s the path he wanted to go on. He is doing his sporting director course. He is a Motherwell legend, it’s St Mirren’s gain and Motherwell’s loss.
“It’s a fantastic appointment from the board and one of many things that are going on in the background."
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