Smith set to wing it with Saints
Cammy says Jack Ross has his full backing in battle for promotion
Winger Cammy Smith left the team he loved in search of opportunity, and that brave call is now paying off as he aims to become St Mirren’s main man.
The 21-year-old grew up in the North East, taking in games at Pittodrie before graduating from the windswept stands to the pitch.
But chances under Dons gaffer Derek McInnes were hard to come by as more experienced players were given the nod in Smiths place.
It would have been easy for Smith to sit on the bench, rack up the substitute appearance money and disappear into oblivion.
The pacey wide man wasn’t ready to kiss goodbye to a promising career that easily.
He took the decision to drop down a division in a bid to prove himself, and now he has set his sights on proving the doubters wrong by firing St Mirren back into the Premiership.
After a six-month loan spell last season, Smith has made the deal permanent and is raring to go.
“Coming down here for the last six months of last season made me realise that playing every week and being happy was a big part of it and enjoying my Monday to Friday training,” he explained.
“I enjoyed my Monday to Friday training at Aberdeen but come the Saturday it could get frustrating.
“Aberdeen are a massive club. You don’t need to tell me that. I’m from Aberdeen. I grew up a fan. But sometimes I think you need to take a step back and look at the big picture.
“Derek McInnes was fine with me and basically agreed that he thought it would be better for me Saints fans will have a chance to meet some the team’s new stars at a fun-filled open day this Sunday.
There will be a range of activities in and around the Paisley 2021 Stadium from 11am, including a bouncy castle, face painters, the Street Stuff dance team, soccer skills, beat the goalie and much more.
Fans will also have a chance to watch the players being put through their paces as they train on the pitch for a one-hour session from 11.30am.
After the session the players will the spend time with fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures.
The club shop will also be open on the day, while supporters thinking about joining the SMFC 1877 Supporters Club can have a look around the facility before deciding if they wish to sign up.
The Red car park will be closed to come and play here. When I went back and had meetings with Aberdeen over the summer it was a case of what was best for my career.
“I realised I couldn’t waste another year sitting on a bench.
“I have a really good relationship with the manager here. This is a good club, a good sized club, their ambitions are the same as mine so it made sense for me to come here. So hopefully I can find form and help the team do what we want to do this season.”
After working under McInnes, Smith knows a good manager when he sees one and believes his new boss Jack Ross, who was heavily linked with Dundee over the summer, has what it takes to engineer a return to the top flight.
He added: “Everybody here was delighted when we heard he was staying. You can’t underestimate the how much of an influence he has. He is the main part of the team doing so on the day for activities, so those attending are advised to park in the Black and White car park.
St Mirren Chairman Gordon Scott confirmed that the Open Day would be free to everyone who wants to go along.
He said: “The open day this Sunday is a great chance for all the family to come down and meet the new players and see the squad being put through their paces.
“With season ticket holders gaining free entry to the Dundee game yesterday, I’m happy to say that the open day will now be open to all with no restrictions.
“Please do try and bring along friends or family members who don’t ordinarily attend. We’d love to take the opportunity to impress and gain new supporters.” well towards the end of last season, along with all the back room staff.
“They were all working in the same direction, they knew what they wanted and we all bought into it and it worked.
“But it’s gone, I don’t want to keep going on about it. It was just about staying up, but now it’s about trying to go and challenge to get up the top end of the table. It’s a fresh challenge and one we’re looking forward to.
“Yeah, I think there is always going to be interest in the manager, and it shows he’s doing well if there are premier league clubs sniffing around him.
“It obviously shows that he is enjoying his time here and is enjoying working with us. He obviously feels he’s got unfinished business here at the club, and we all feel the same.
“We are echoing what he’s saying and we’re all going in that forward direction.”