Kilmarnock interested in St Mirren goalkeeper Craig Samson

Kilmarnock have expressed interest in bringing St Mirren goalkeeper Craig Samson to the Ayrshire club.

Samson has turned down an offer to stay with The Buddies.

Motherwell had made contact with the 29-year-old former Scotland under-21 cap, but Killie are now considered to be in pole position for his signature.

"Craig Samson's a boy would really like to get here; he's a Kilmarnock boy," Killie manager Kenny Shiels told BBC Scotland.

"But, besides that, he's a really good goalkeeper."

However, Shiels admitted that Kilmarnock were yet to make an offer to Samson, whose St Mirren contract expires at the end of the season.

"The agent has spoken to my chairman as far as I know," he said.

"Of course I'm interested, but I'm also interested in other goalkeepers whose contracts are up."

Shiels is hopeful that Samson will vie with Antonio Reguero, who has agreed a move from Inverness Caledonian Thistle, for the number one jersey after the departure to Rangers of Cammy Bell.

"We need another goalkeeper," he said. "We need two vying for the one position.

"That's good, that's competition."

The Northern Irishman also said he was optimistic that striker Kris Boyd could be playing at Rugby Park next season.

"Of course I'm hopeful, but we'll wait and see," he said. "There's a lot to talk about."

The former Rangers and Middlesbrough striker returned to first club Kilmarnock in February after his release by Major League Soccer outfit Portland Timbers, signing a deal until the end of the season.