SEAN PRAISES VETERAN BUDDIE It’s great to have Gary at my side
Sean McLoughlin insists he is learning from the best after being paired with Gary MacKenzie in the St Mirren defence.
The Irishman admits he knew very little about the Scottish game before signing a loan deal from Hull City last month.
But playing alongside MacKenzie, who has experience both north and south of the border, has provided McLoughlin with the perfect grounding.
He told Express Sport: “It is very easy when you have somebody like Gary MacKenzie next to you.
“He is very experienced and knows the league well, so it is handy to come here and have him playing beside you. I have enjoyed playing beside him.
“I think playing beside someone experienced makes a big difference. I am only 22 and don’t know the league too well, so to have him teach me a thing or two definitely helps.
“He’s been round the block so it is a brilliant help – and he is a top lad as well.
“I have settled in very quickly and that is mainly down to the lads. There is a great bunch of lads here and that has been a big help.
“Living just ten minutes from Glasgow and the airport means the family can fly in and this has made a huge difference too.
“My parents and my missus were over for the Aberdeen game, it is only an hour’s flight from Cork so it is handy.”
McLoughlin has been in fine form since making his debut away to Hibs on the opening day of the season.
The Buddies have conceded just one goal in their two outings, with the 22-year-old a rock at the back.
And he believes the Saints will surprise a few as the season goes on as they look to enjoy a successful campaign.
He added: “Aberdeen are obviously one of the top teams in the league.
“People wrote us off before the game, or before the season even started, so to show them that we are able to challenge the best teams at this level is nice.
“Before the season started we knew we had three tough fixtures to open the campaign. But we are going to go into the Rangers game in a positive fashion, stick to our game plan and do what we did the last couple of games and see where it takes us.”
With the clash against Rangers just around the corner, McLoughlin is looking forward to challenging himself against the Glasgow outfit.
He said: “Rangers have got some great players in their team, guys that have played all over England. But the main thing for us is to just focus on the game.
“The good thing about this league is that there are players throughout it who have had great careers both in England and in Scotland.
“To be able to play against guys like Defoe is definitely good for my development.”