PREMIERSHIP LATEST PLAYOUR CARDS RIGHT
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Jim Goodwin admits he was relieved to see his Buddies finally pick up their first Premiership win of the season.
After a stuttering start to the campaign, which saw them winless in their opening six league matches, the St Mirren gaffer was pleased to watch his side punish Aberdeen after they were reduced to ten men in Sunday’s battling clash.
While he knows the red card was a major factor in Saints’ 3-2 win against the Dons in Paisley, Goodwin is delighted to finally get a first victory under his belt which he hopes will act as a springboard for the rest of the campaign.
Goodwin told Express Sport: “We have to try to kick on now and build some momentum.
“We’re not going to get carried away, as the red card was a huge turning point in the game.
“The lads are still getting used to the ways we want to play.
“But I couldn’t be any happier just to get that first win and get the monkey off our backs.”
While praising the whole team for their battling quality against Aberdeen, Goodwin singled out Wolves loanee and man-of-the-match Connor Ronan for extra praise.
The 23-year-old midfielder’s excellent first two goals for the club helped see Saints finally across the winning line, ahead of a trip to struggling Livingston this Saturday where the Paisley club will look to make it back-to-back victories.
Goodwin insists the Buddies have won a watch with Ronan as he believes the Ireland Under-21 international still has another few gears to hit as he continues to return to full fitness.
He also believes
Ronan won’t be far away from following in St Mirren playmaker Jamie McGrath’s footsteps in stepping up to the full Ireland squad if he continues to shine on the Premiership stage.
Goodwin said: “He (Ronan) was outstanding. I tried for three windows to get him and I’m just delighted that Wolves have been so very cooperative as they saw this as a great step in Connor’s development.
“I couldn’t be any more satisfied with how he’s settled into the group.
“He’s only going to get better as he’s nowhere near the level of fitness that we need. He knows that himself. That will probably be his first 90 minutes for seven or eight months.
“I’m delighted to be doing my bit for the international team back home as well.
“Jamie McGrath’s already had a call-up, and if Connor keeps on putting in displays like that Stephen Kenny will have a decision to make about him as well.”