The gloves are off, vows Ross
Goalie and midfielder join the ranks at St Mirren
St Mirren ramped up their preparations for next season with two new players signing deals.
Saints manager Jack Ross has bolstered the ranks with goalkeeper Ross Stewart from League One side Albion Rovers yesterday afternoon.
And the stopper was followed in the door by attacking midfielder, Jordan Kirkpatrick of Alloa Athletic.
The pair have both agreed two-year deals as Ross continues to build his side for next season.
They join the likes of Gary MacKenzie, Adam Eckersley and Cammy Smith in all committing themselves to the side for next season, while youngster Kyle Magennis has also signed an extension to his contract.
And, having signed on the dotted line, Stewart insists he is at Saints to pin down the number one jersey as the team look to achieve promotion this season.
He told Express Sport: “I’m here to try and claim that jersey. When I went to Albion Rovers I had to stake a claim for that spot as well and that’s what pushes you on to be the best you can be.
“There is no point in just coming in as another player — you need to have that hunger and desire to take that place in the side.
“I was at Albion Rovers for two years and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. It gave me the game time and the experience I needed at that stage of my career, but it was always my aim to return to full-time football having started at Motherwell.
“St Mirren is a massive club and it deserves to be back in the top flight.
“It was clear from talking to the coaching staff that it is their aim and desire to get back up the league, and it was their hunger and desire to do so that sold me on the move here.”
Meanwhile, Kirkpatrick’s signing from Alloa Athletic sees the attacking midfielder hook back up with manager Jack Ross for the third time in his career.
Kirkpatrick worked with Ross while the Saints gaffer was assistant manager at Dumbarton. Ross then took the 25-year-old to Alloa last summer.
And the former Hamilton Accies kid admits that he was always going to jump at the chance with reuniting with Ross.
Kirkpatrick added: “I’m on cloud nine right now, especially to be back in the full-time environment.
“It is great to link back up with Jack, who I have been with at a few clubs now.
“It is really the only club that I wanted to come to and, when I had the chance to work with Jack again, I was going to take it.”