MCGINN: IT’S A WAITING GAME

Saints skipper Stephen McGinn says it’s been hard to watch his club from the bench this season — but insists he is ready to step up when called upon.

The 30- year- old midfielder played more than 60 games over the last two seasons, but has yet to make his Premiership bow this campaign.

While he admits he would have dealt with his omission the wrong way if it was earlier in his career, he feels he now has the experience to stay positive as he waits for his chance to impress.

“It has been frustrating,” the former Watford and Sheffield United man told Express Sport.

“Going from playing such a big part to not playing any minutes in the league has been hard, but I’ll just wait my turn and work as hard as I can and try and help the boys when I’m called upon.

“I struggled with it more when I was younger in my career and I probably dealt with it in the wrong way.

“I’m at that age now with experience that I know the only way to turn it around is to just work as hard as you can and support the boys because it does turn.

“When you get your chance, you just need to be ready to take it.

”I have played a big part here over the years and I still think I can play a big part. I’m sure I’ll get my chance.”

McGinn has had to learn how to deal with time out of teams before, especially when he damaged knee ligaments while at Watford.

While he knows injuries are unavoidable, he regrets times when his attitude let him down and he’s determined not to let that happen again.

He said: “When you’re injured, you know why you’re out. You go from a member of the squad to almost like a member of staff. You feel like you have a just taken up a membership of the gym for a year.

“At times, earlier in my career, I fell out of favour with the manager and I probably have one or two regrets about not keeping my head down.

“So that’s what I’m trying to do now.

“We always carry a small squad with St Mirren, so due to injuries and suspensions you will always get your chance.

“I’ll be ready to take it whenever it comes.”

McGinn will be hoping that opportunity comes when St Mirren take on St Johnstone this weekend, with a win for either team consigning the other to bottom spot in the table.

He added: “They’re all big games because there’s not much between a lot of teams in the league.

“We’ve not won in a while, so the game is of bigger significance.

“We know what St Johnstone are all about and we need to be at our best to get the three points.”