KYLE WILL BE GOOD CHOICE

JIM GOODWIN insists making Kyle Magennis his new captain was “a simple decision” – even though the St Mirren midfielder won’t play until October.

The 21-year-old takes the armband from Stephen McGinn and got the nod ahead of the more experienced Sam Foley who instead becomes vice-captain.

Goodwin said: “It was a simple decision to make Kyle captain. A number of people out there would have thought Sam would be the obvious choice because of his experience and what he did last year.

“He cleaned up with the Player of the Year awards, is a fantastic professional and led by example in every game.

“But Kyle has a real connection with the club. He has been here since he was five or six, coming right through the academy.

“His family follow us the

BY GRAEME MACPHERSON length and breadth of the country and are all season ticket holders. So it was the obvious choice for me.

“The club means a lot to Kyle. He was captain for a spell in and out last season. It’s important to promote academy graduates the best we can.”

Both Magennis and Ryan Flynn are currently sidelined with cruciate ligament injuries but Goodwin hopes to have both back by the autumn.

He said: “Kyle and Ryan are making great progress. When they’re back in September or October it will be like new signings.

“Physically they look like they’re ready to go now but the structure of their knees needs to be built up first.

“They’re working hard with the physio and are starting to kick. It will be two brilliant additions to the squad at that time.”