Mallan mission is to pile pain on mentor Goodwin
Hibs midfielder stevie Mallan has recalled how he would try his utmost not to incur the wrath of team-mate Jim Goodwin during his formative years at st Mirren.
For at least 90 minutes this afternoon, however, Mallan and the Leith outfit will be planning to compound the new buddies manager’s early-season woe with victory on the opening day of the Premiership.
Mallan appreciated the advice Goodwin gave him during their time together as one career was beginning and another was ending.
The example Goodwin set on the training ground also left a lasting impressing on the former scotland Under-21 international.
‘He was a hard guy to train with, i’ll tell you that,’ remarked Mallan, who is keen to build on being crowned both Hibs’ Player and Players’ Player of the Year last term.
‘Growing up, we had a thing on a Friday when we’d play small-sided games, old against young — so i was never in his team. i was always up against him.
‘if a team is getting beat, like any person, they become an angry man and everyone knows Goody’s angry side.
‘but it kept you on your toes, kept you a bit sharper, a bit more aware of who was about.
‘He’s one man you wouldn’t want to take the mickey out of.
‘He was a hard guy, but he was a great guy as well.’
Unlike the aggressive style for which he was renowned on the pitch, Goodwin had Alloa playing an expansive and entertaining brand of football before he made the summer move back to st Mirren, who failed to progress from their betfred Cup group.
Mallan admits he owes a debt of gratitude to the 37-year-old for helping to shape his career.
‘He was a really good coach,’ said Mallan. ‘When i was coming through and he was edging out a bit but fair enough to him he was always really good to me, coaching me while i was playing.
‘Goody was always one man who was there and he kept me level headed.
‘From what i know of him as a player and a coach, he’s going to put out a good st Mirren side which is going to be tough to beat and that will make saturday all the harder.’
Hibs forward Fraser Murray,
meanwhile, has expressed his delight at earning a place in the first-team dressing room following his return to pre-season.
The 20-year-old is now aiming to become a regular in the side this term, three years after making his debut.
Murray said: ‘it’s a big step but you feel more a part of things, you are around the first team a lot more.
‘i trained with the first team last year but now being in there with them is a bit different from being in the 20s changing room.
‘i still clean my own boots but when you’re with the 20s you have jobs to do as well.
‘i cleaned the dining room, pumped up all the balls, got all the first-team gear in, cleaned the changing room and all that stuff.
‘so it’s a change when you don’t have to do that any more.’
st Mirren boss Goodwin boosted his squad yesterday with the addition of irish centre-half sean McLoughlin, who has joined on loan from Hull City.
The 22-year-old made the switch just a week after joining the Tigers from League of ireland side Cork City.
‘it came about a couple of days ago and i’m really excited to get up here,’ he said.
‘i’ve still got a lot to learn but i’m looking forward to the challenge.’
McLoughlin joins fellow new signings sam Foley, Dean Lyness, Tony Andreu, Oan Djorkaeff and ilkay Durmus as Goodwin, who took charge at the end of June, reshapes his squad after a near miss with relegation last term.
He also moved last night to add striker Jonathan Obika on a two-year deal following the expiry of his contract at Oxford United.
Foley, 32, is now delighted to have the chance to play in the scottish top flight in the autumn of his career.
‘With the career i have had so far by coming into the game late as i did, to have an opportunity like this is something i couldn’t turn down,’ he said.