IRISH EYES CAN SMILE AGAIN
Buddies return boosts Lee’s cap hopes
Lee Hodson hopes his return to Paisley will see him get back into an international jersey.
The 28-year-old linked back up with the Buddies last month, less than a year after he moved away from the Simple Digital Arena to join Gillingham.
And the former Rangers right-back believes regular game time at St Mirren will give him the perfect platform to work his way back into Northern Ireland contention and add to his 24-cap haul.
But he insists he will be fully focused on domestic duty with the Saints first and foremost.
He told Express Sport: “I’ve not been involved in a little while, international-wise.
“But with the change of manager, with Michael O’Neill going to Stoke, there are always opportunities to get back involved.
“The more game time I get up here, hopefully it might get me back in the squad.
“But my main focus is working hard here, getting myself back in the team, and putting in performances here and doing my best for the club.”
Hodson was a popular figure during his loan spell from the Light Blues, helping keep the Buddies in the Premiership via two playoff games.
And he revealed all he wanted to do when he returned to Ibrox for treatment on an injury was to get back to Paisley and keep his adopted side in the top tier.
He said: “It was difficult battling around the bottom half of the table the first time I was here.
“It was never nice losing games, and no player likes losing games.
“I got my injury against Celtic. I didn’t know how it was going to go for me, whether that was going to be my season over or if I could make it back. My main focus when I was at Rangers for my treatment was to get back and start playing and keep the team in the Scottish Premiership.
“I would say the two play-off games were memorable for me. We got a draw in Dundee and won on penalties at home. The lads were brilliant over both legs.
“The feeling at the end of the game, knowing we had stayed up, was huge. Seeing the fans’ reaction was amazing.
“It was a great feeling, knowing that St Mirren would be in the Scottish Premiership for this season.”
The determined defender admits it was a gut-wrenching decision to leave a club he had grown so fond off.
And he is looking to make up for lost time after a disappointing spell at Gillingham.
He added: “It was hard after the play-off game. I did a talk in one of the online lounges and people were asking me questions about next season.
“I did say I was happy here and my family were happy here. If it was an option for me, and it was right for me, I would have 100 per cent stayed here.
“It was hard leaving here, I got on with the lads and everyone at the club.
“I’m just delighted to be back and to have another opportunity to play at a club as big as St Mirren.”
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My main focus is working hard here Lee Hodson