SAINTS CLOSE IN ON IRISH ACE SEAN
Goody: Hibs will make it tough
Jim Goodwin has warned his side to be wary of big-spending Hibs.
The St Mirren manager takes his Buddies to Easter Road this Saturday for the opening game of the Premiership campaign.
And preparing to face off against a side that has being spending big in the transfer market, Goodwin knows the task that awaits.
He told Express Sport : “Hibs are a very good team and Paul Heckingbottom has recruited very well.
“They have gone and spent a quarter of a million on striker Christian Doidge from Forest Green. They also have Florian Kamberi and Stevie Mallan – all very good options in the attacking areas St Mirren are closing in on a deal to secure the service of highly-rated Hull City defender Sean McLoughlin.
The Ireland under- 21 internationalist is understood to be on the brink of penning a six-month loan deal with the Buddies – less than a week after arriving at Hull.
The 22-year-old only joined the K-Comm side last Friday, penning a three-year contract with the option of a further year for the Championship side.
Tigers’ manager, Grant McCann, wants the former Cork City centre back to gain further experience in Scotland before challenging for a place when he returns in January.
And it is believed that McLoughlin has turned down the chance to stay in England in favour of joining Jim Goodwin’s Saints after meeting the gaffer earlier this week.
He said upon signing for Hull: “It’s a massive opportunity for me. and players who can be dangerous.
“We will have to be well organised, work on one or two things in training for the rest of the week, and hopefully come Saturday we can be as best prepared as we can be and give a great account of ourselves.”
And despite fears that the club is heading into the new season in the doldrums following the League Cup exit, Goodwin suggests otherwise.
He added: “I can’t fault the players’ efforts. I am pleased that we have managed three clean sheets out of four games, and the players are listening.
“We have just lacked a cutting edge and that is the bottom line.”
Meanwhile, defender Paul McGinn says the players understand the frustrations of supporters.
But with the league campaign just around the corner, he says he is looking forward to receiving their backing for another campaign.
He said: “As players we get frustrated as well especially when you are coming up against teams who are in leagues below us.
“I had always been at teams that if you were down near the bottom the fans were on your back straight away.
“It was pretty surreal that our fans weren’t like that last season. I’m hoping that they will be the same again this season and at the low points they’ll be behind us. We do really appreciate it.”
“Obviously I was playing back home in Ireland with Cork, but the goal has always been to come to England and make it over here.
“I think for any young footballer, playing professionally in England is something that appeals, and I’m no different.
“I have nothing but great memories of my time at Cork but I just felt as though this was the right time for me to make the move.
“To be fair, the club – and Grant – have shown great faith in me by bringing me over here and I just can’t wait to get going. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
McLoughlin would be in line to make his debut at Easter Road on Saturday, with the Saints set to take on Hibs on the opening day of the season.
And with the rumoured addition of Sam Foley also expected to be completed this week, Goodwin’s bid to delve into the market before the campaign kick-off appears successful.
The Irishman has only been able to add Tony Andreu, Oan Djorkaeff and Ilkay Durmus to his depleted ranks but holds out hope of a number of new faces.