Goal can put Brophy in Scots mix, says boss

JIM GOODWIN has challenged in-form Eamonn Brophy to score against Rangers and shoot his way into contention for Scotland’s World Cup showdown with Moldova. The St Mirren striker won his only cap in a European qualifier at home to Cyprus in June 2019. But with national team talisman Lyndon Dykes suspended for the Moldova match away next month, ahead of the visit of Denmark to Hampden, Goodwin believes Brophy has the chance to impress his former Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke. ‘Eamonn Brophy is on fire right now,’ said the Saints boss, ahead of tomorrow’s clash. ‘If he can go and get himself another two or three goals before the squad gets announced, then Lyndon Dykes is out suspended and there aren’t a great deal of months between Eamonn and Kevin Nisbet of Hibs. ‘I know Steve Clarke keeps an eye on our games which is great. He’s a brave manager as well. He’s not afraid to pick players from clubs like our own. He’s picked players before from Motherwell and St Johnstone. ‘And if Eamonn is catching the eye, he’s had him in with Scotland before and there’s no reason why Steve can’t consider him again.’ Goodwin believes Brophy is now at peak fitness and feels the 25-year-old’s best years lie ahead of him. He said: ‘There’s still more to come from him but he’s sharper now than he’s been in the last four years. ‘That’s no disrespect to anyone at Kilmarnock. He had a lot of niggles and little injuries in the last couple of years in particular. ‘But he now seems to be fully over that, touch wood. Some people look at Broph and think he’s 29 or 30. He’s still 25 and his best years are ahead of him. ‘Hopefully we will get the best out of him this season and we will see where that takes us.’ Victories over Aberdeen, Livingston and Ross County mean St Mirren have racked up three consecutive top-flight wins for the first time since 2008. ‘It’s two of the form teams in the country meeting on Sunday,’ said Goodwin. ‘We are unbeaten in six and we’ve won the last three. ‘My message to the players is let’s maintain that unbeaten run. ‘If that’s taking a draw, so be it, but I believe we have players who can cause Rangers problems.’