Fired-up Flynn glad to be given start at long last
St Mirren playmaker vows to help Goodwin’s side into top six after injury
RYAN Flynn has told manager Jim Goodwin he’s ready to help St Mirren’s surge for a top-six place in the Premiership.
The fit again Saints playmaker shone in Wednesday night’s 5-1 demolition of Dundee United at Tannadice which moved them to within just two points of Micky Mellon’s sixth-placed side with three games in hand.
Former Liverpool and Sheffield United player Flynn suffered cruciate ligament damage back in February, but has regained full fitness and was pivotal in the manner in which Goodwin’s visitors swept United aside.
Now the 32-year-old is urging the Paisley gaffer to hand him a regular slot ahead of Saturday’s visit to Celtic Park.
Flynn said: “I was delighted to have got a start, eventually.
“It has been a long year. I have been fit for about two months and I have been frustrated and disappointed that I have not played as much as I should have.
“It was nice to start this one. Kevin Bain, the physio, was great through my rehab but after I got back it has been a hard two months.
“There was nothing I could do but train and work hard. I am just thankful for this opportunity and I felt I took it tonight. Hopefully, things change going forward.
“I didn’t chap the manager’s door. He picks the team and I have to respect his decisions.
“There was a suspension to Cammy MacPherson and an injury to Jake Doyle-Hayes so I managed to get in the team.
“Now I hope I get more time and more minutes.
“I have waited long enough. People think with my age and after such an injury you are done.
“People read into things but I always knew I was good enough to play again and I was just waiting for that chance.
“Hopefully, my season starts now and I start on Saturday.”
Flynn admits there were some dark days during his intensive rehabilitation, but insists he never doubted his ability to recapture top form.
He said: “There were difficult times, including lockdown and rehabbing on my own and there are times you question yourself.
“It was my first real injury but I was never really fazed by it.
“The hardest part was being fit and not playing.
“To be honest, I’m just delighted to get this win over Dundee United.
“I am always there for the boys and when I get the chance to do a job in the middle of the park then I will give my all.
“We were 3-0 up at half-time and I didn’t really think it was a 3-0 game.
“They had good chances and we got a wee bit lucky in stages.
“I thought the second-half was better.
“It was a good strike to get them back to 3-1 and you could go on the back foot but Conor McCarthy was good and helped hold a high line and allowed us to go and press.
“I thought the second-half was better and we were in control.”
Flynn concedes Saints didn’t turn up in last Sunday’s 1-0 Betfred Cup semi-final defeat but insists their Tannadice display helped ease the pain.
He added: “You have always got a point to prove, as soon as you go on the field.
“It was a massive disappointment last Sunday
but to bounce back like that was impressive.
“I am sure everybody is hurting but the games come thick and fast.
“We have business to take care of and we did that on Wednesday but now we have hard fixtures coming up.”