Now Jake’s McGinn it to be hero
JAKE DOYLE-HAYES hopes to follow the John McGinn path to becoming a St Mirren hero before cracking the Premier League.
The Irish ace got off the mark in the win at Livingston in his fourth appearance since making the switch to Saints last month.
Ex-Aston Villa kid Doyle-Hayes didn’t get the chance to chew the ear of Scotland star McGinn before he made the move to Paisley but reckons he doesn’t need to look far for inspiration.
McGinn was a Buddies favourite before his spell at Hibs fired him all the way to the EPL.
Doyle-Hayes has gone the other direction having come through the ranks at Villa and had a couple of lower-league loan spells before being picked up on a free by Jim Goodwin.
And he’s determined to make the most of this chance.
Doyle-Hayes said: “I never spoke to McGinn before I came here but I know a lot about him. I know his past and what he’s done for the club – he’s a big inspiration for me.
“A lot of players who have been here have done well and he’s at an unbelievable level now. He’s someone I can look up to.
“There are players who have come from the Scottish league and gone on to have unbelievable careers. It’s definitely not an easy league, every game is a battle and the teams are really good.
“Scottish football is not to be underestimated. Can I get back to Premier League level? I certainly hope so. I want to play at as high a level as I can.
“But I just need to work hard here and see where it takes me.
“When I got the opportunity to come here I couldn’t turn it down. I was delighted.
“I spoke to the manager quite a few times and he really got my attention. That’s why I’m here.”
Doyle-Hayes was in a deeper role than usual at the weekend but thrilled to get his goal.
He added: “I caught it pretty flush. It might have taken a bit of a deflection but I wasn’t caring.
“Scoring more goals was something I wanted to bring in to my game when I came up here.”