FORWARD Ross Stewart revealed Southampton's players are "looking forward" to working with new boss Will Still next season.

Stewart insisted he is confident the club have appointed the right man as they bid to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

Saints have hired Still on a three-year deal following his exit from RC Lens, whom he led to an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1 during the 2024/25 campaign.

While the 32 year old coach was in attendance for Southampton's final game of the season - a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal - Stewart confessed he had not yet spoken with his new boss. 

"He's not had any conversations. We only found out prior to this game that it was done. From previous clubs, I know he will bring his own ideas," he told the Daily Echo.

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"There's a lot of lads looking forward to working under him. It'll just be one where, when we come back now for pre-season, he'll be the man in charge.

"We'll all come back with a hunger, as I'm sure he will, to get this club back to where they want to be in the Premier League."

He added: "I'm sure the top of the club would have done their homework on him. I trust that they got the right appointment.

"Like I said, the club's looking forward to working under him. Obviously, we realise it's been a tough season.

"All of us need to go our way and get away from it for a spell and come back with that hunger, which I've got no doubt we will.

"We've got a good group here, we've got a good breed of experience and youth, and we'll come back with the view to go and get ourselves promoted."

Ross Stewart scored his first Saints goal against Arsenal.Ross Stewart scored his first Saints goal against Arsenal. (Image: Stuart Martin) READ: Sky Sports pundit backs Saints forward to be 'big player' under Still

Stewart confessed he is not the type of player who will knock on Still's door on the first day of pre-season to enquire about his role in the team.

The Scot scored his first Saints goal under the watchful eyes of Still last weekend, and is vying to impress the Belgian-born English coach in pre-season.

"I think every player will just be coming back pre-season with hunger to try and get in the team," he explained.

"It's always a big squad, there'll be plenty of places up for grabs, and that's what football clubs need. There's not much more to it than that.

"I'm looking forward to next season. It's been a nice end personally this season, getting the games and getting the goal. I look forward to it as well."