St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin thanks board for backing him after whirlwind start to first season in charge

The Saints manager had little time to bed in after the late departure of previous manager Oran Kearney.

By Kyle Gunn

Buddies boss Jim Goodwin has paid tribute to the club’s board for backing him when he needed it most.

The former St Mirren captain took the reins late on at the start of the season, inheriting a squad in need of reinforcements.

He moved quickly to bolster his squad, with Jon Obika, Ilkay Durmus and Sam Foley all joining and going on to become key players in the Paisley club’s successful campaign.

Goodwin has thanked the board for believing in his targets that delivered what was needed on the pitch to keep the Saints a Premiership outfit.

Goodwin told Express Sport: “The team, as a whole, got better and better as the season went on, I felt.

“It’s been well documented the slow start we had, mainly due to not having the full group together during pre-season camp, which is a vital time for any team to work on fitness and tactics for the season ahead.

“I was very fortunate with the late signings we made and, when added to the already close-knit group we had, it made for a great team spirit and togetherness in the dressing room.

“I would like to thank the board for the backing they gave me throughout the season. Without their support we wouldn’t have been able to bring the likes of Obika, Foley and Durmus to the club.

“Those three, in particular, played regularly and at a consistently high level.

“I look forward to working with them again next season.

“I am also excited to see the likes of youngsters Kyle McAllister, Kyle Magennis, Conor McCarthy and Cammy MacPherson continue their development.”

Despite the premature end to the 2019/20 season, Goodwin is delighted to have hit his first target of keeping the club in the top flight.

And he is looking forward to building on his success in the next campaign after the current Premiership season was called to a halt earlier this week.

He added: “It was a huge honour for me to be appointed manager of this great club in the Premiership and I hope we can enjoy many more seasons together in the years to come.

“I had the good fortune of captaining the club to Scottish League Cup glory seven years ago as a player and nothing would make me prouder to be able to achieve the same feat as manager.

“I think the SPFL have made the right decision regarding the league.

“Although it isn’t ideal for everyone, it was the only sensible option available to them given the current climate.

“It’s important to remember that 81 per cent of the member clubs voted for it too.”