St Mirren have opened talks with fans’ favourite Gary MacKenzie over a possible extension to his deal.
Saints boss Oran Kearney has confirmed to the Paisley Daily Express that he is keen for the experienced defender to remain a Buddie for another season.
MacKenzie, 33, is currently out of contract but was not named among the 12 departures from St Mirren at the start of the week.
The centre back was limited to just seven appearances last season after spending close to 10 months out with an Achilles injury but impressed upon his return to the team after being a stand-out throughout the survival run-in.
And Kearney revealed that he is in talks with the former Blackpool defender in a bid to convince him to stay for a fourth season, while providing an update over discussions with Mateo Muzek and Lee Hodson.
Kearney said: “Gary MacKenzie is one that we are in talks with and are keen to do something with.
“Talks with him, Mateo and Lee Hodson are all in motion at this point in time and we are trying to get them sorted.
“Gary had been injured for a big part of the season but I thought his presence about the place was second to none.
“His experience can be very hard to come by.
“But on the pitch, I thought his performances as the season came to a close, in the big games, were immense. That was vital to us.
“Gary is aware that he has had injuries but we are keen to come to an agreement that will give us another year.”
MacKenzie’s recent injury record may have some cause for concern however, Kearney has ruled out any chance of the defender being offered a pay-as-you-play deal.
He added: “It definitely wouldn’t be a pay-as-you-play deal because I think that would be disrespectful to Gary after he has done for the football club.
“It has to be a deal that suits Gary but also suits the club so we will be inventive in how we look at it.
“But I think with all that Gary has done for the club, I don’t think something like a pay-as -you-play deal would be relevant.
“We will have to look at ways that the deal is fair to both parties.”
Meanwhile, Kearney revealed he is working hard to spruce up his squad following the raft of players leaving at the end of the season.
He said: “A lot of the loan players have gone back and we have to start building again.
“Obviously, we have been in negotiations with a few of the loan players in relation to getting some of them back.
“If that is a case of loaning some of them again or signing some of the out of contract players permanently then so be it.
“We will be busy with that for the next week or so. We want to try some of them up within the next week or so.”
