Renfrewshire Council planning officials are recommending that a bid to build a supermarket at Love Street be refused.

The First Division club hope to sell their ground to a supermarket operator to pay off debts of more than �2m and build a new stadium nearby.

"This only signals the half-time whistle," said Gilmour. "The final decision has still to be made."

The council planning board meets on Tuesday.

Gilmour added: "I sincerely hope St Mirren and all the benefits it brings to the town and the people of Renfrewshire will still be here for many years to come.

"We're not asking the council for any money.

"All we're asking for is planning permission and the opportunity to safeguard something special for the community, which we can finance ourselves by selling our ground."

But planning officials are keen to preserve the "areas of open recreational space" on the site St Mirren Park occupies.

One option the club is already considering is to groundshare with Partick Thistle at Firhill.