Donati: I’m not here for a rest
New St Mirren signing Massimo Donati insists he isn’t at Saints to put his feet up and ease himself into retirement.
The 36-year-old yesterday penned a three-month deal with the Paisley side as boss Jack Ross bolsters his ranks for the title run-in.
The former Celtic and AC Milan midfielder was a free agent after agreeing to terminate his contract with financially-stricken Hamilton Accies last month.
He had been training with St Mirren for the best part of a week before he was dealt a contract by the Saints gaffer.
The Italian says he is adamant that he still has something to offer on the park – although he admits he has his doubters.
He told Express Sport: “I am very happy because when I left Hamilton everybody said I was finished playing football.
“But in my mind, and in my body, I know I am still fit.
“I have come to training with St Mirren for over a week now and I have enjoyed it. I have enjoyed working under the gaffer and playing alongside my new team in training, so I was pleased.
“The best part is they have enjoyed having me there as well and the end of the story is I am now a St Mirren player.”
Donati travelled with the St Mirren squad to their game on Saturday, sitting in the stands as the Saints were defeated 4-1 by Livingston.
He concedes that the performance of his new side isn’t what many had come to expect from the side following a stunning season so far.
But he has no doubts that the Saints have the mark of champions having be e n impressed by what he has seen of his new teammates.
And although he insists he still has a lot to offer on the pitch, Donati says he is ready to shoulder some responsibility off it in a bid to get the Saints over the line and back to the Premiership.
He added: “I am here to help the team win the league – but I feel I can do that in a number of ways.
“If by helping to win the league is by just having a chat with a player, because here we have a lot of younger players, then that’s brilliant.
“But I want to help out on the pitch as well if I can, but that is obviously the