Goodwin keen to keep hold of McGrath

ST MIRREN have made an “incredible offer” to Jamie McGrath to remain at the Paisley club.

The Ireland internationalist has been a sensational find for the Premiership side since joining from Dundalk in his homeland in January 2020.

McGrath, 25, was on the brink of a dramatic deadline day move to Hibs in August. But some eleventh-hour stumbling blocks halted the move which was also due to see Scott Allan and Drey Wright move in the opposite direction.

Now, boss Jim Goodwin and the club are doing all that they can to persuade the Irish talent to stay put in Paisley.

Goodwin said: “We’re all extremely proud of what Jamie has achieved in the last 18 months. I watched the first hour of the Ireland game against Qatar and Jamie was excellent again. We’re delighted for him.

“The kind of character he is, he could have thrown his toys out the pram when the deal wasn’t allowed to happen but he’s got on with things. He’s shown he’s willing to give his all for our jersey while he’s here.

“We’ve made an incredible offer to Jamie, we need to make that clear. We’ve made him an offer we’ve never made a player in the history of the club.

“But we’re not stupid. We know he’s going to have numerous other offers and no doubt someone might come in and blow us out of the water.

“We want Jamie to know exactly what we think of him and reward him with a great contract. Whether he takes it or not, it’s up to him but our supporters need to know we’re not giving up hope just yet.”

McGrath won his fifth cap during Ireland’s 4-0 friendly victory over Qatar on Tuesday night.

“It’s great inspiration for some of the younger ones in the group and having that aspiration to kick on and take their careers to the next level,” the Irishman added.

“Jamie is a great example that if you work hard and are willing to listen and learn you can do that here at St Mirren.”