I want to earn Ire grade
McGrath would love chance to help Kenny’s side
MODESTY prevails when Jamie McGrath is asked if divine intervention is required for him to gain recognition for the Republic of Ireland.
But after another midfield masterclass in St Mirren’s win over Hamilton, the answer to Stephen Kenny’s prayers can be found in Paisley.
The biggest mystery is a nation that hasn’t won for 11 games and scored just four times in that spell can continue to overlook the 24-year-old who brings creativity, drive and goals to the table.
McGrath took his own tally to 13 for this campaign, the first a deft shot that displayed the range of his abilities as both chance maker and taker and the second a clinically dispatched penalty.
A move to the Buddies last January from Dundalk hasn’t managed to put the Saints star on the FAI radar. And with Kenny’s appointment coinciding with a winless run
3 ST MIRREN
GORDON PARKS AT FOY STADIUM now one away from the dozen, laziness or not, surely it’s time for an invite to McGrath?
With five team-mates and fellow countrymen in the same boat, the beleaguered boss could at least take in a game at the SMISA Stadium once regulations allow him.
The former Republic under-21 admits it’s only polite to wait to be asked but he’d love nothing more if his country came calling.
McGrath said: “The goal is always to play for your country. As a kid you want to follow in your heroes’ footsteps.
“At the moment I want to try to contribute as much as I can to St Mirren but it is a dream of mine, for sure.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to. I’ve played in the U19s and under 21s.
“That was amazing but if the chance came up to play for the senior team and get a senior cap – that would be a dream come true.”
St Mirren’s return to Lanarkshire for the first time since a 1-1 draw denied them a top-six place by an agonising two-goal margin to St Johnstone provided extra motivation for McGrath and his team-mates to make sure of Scottish Cup progress.
A Betfred Cup semi-final visit earlier this season whet the Irishman’s appetite for a return to Hampden and they also had to get their last trip to Accies out of their system.
McGrath said: “It was the low of our season the last time we were here. The worst moment by far, conceding the way we did so late on.
“We were raging we’d the week off. We just wanted to get straight back out there.
“We wanted to make things right. It’s a much better feeling today. We have to try to finish seventh and we can look forward to the Scottish Cup as well.”
McGrath made his mark with just four minutes on the clock, accepting a pass from Ilkay Durmus before showing technique of the highest quality by lofting a shot over
Ryan Fulton and into the top corner. Saints continued to carve out chances but Accies found their feet and Lee Hodson’s thunderbolt needed Jak Alnwick’s strong hands.
Hamilton passed up a gift to level when David Moyo nodded a Ross Callachan cross over the bar when left unmarked at the back post.
The tie was out of the home side’s sight in the 74th minute as Kristian Dennis celebrated his first outing in two months by climbing off the bench to curl a 20-yarder into Fulton’s right top corner.
Fulton collided with Jon Obika five minutes later and referee Euan Donaldson pointed to the spot to allow McGrath to show why he’s gaining a reputation as a penalty specialist.
He added: “My first was a great goal. Kristian’s finish was even better than mine – it was a cracker.”