Jack: I’m Good to go boss
Jack Baird will never forget Jim Goodwin phoning him on the eve of his St Mirren debut six years ago.
Now the Buddies stopper hopes he’s answering his gaffer’s call in a make- orbreak season for him.
Baird managed to win over the fans of rivals Morton during a loan spell at Cappielow last term.
But the man he really wants to convince of his worth is Goodwin as he approaches a decade since joining the Paisley club.
Goodwin is a man he knows well having played alongside him in the Championship after the Irishman pulled the boots back on following a spell as assistant to Tommy Craig.
And it was during his time as No. 2 that Baird made his Buddies bow in a 3- 0 defeat at Hamilton Accies.
Baird said: “Jim Goodwin actually phoned me the night before my debut after the manager had called to tell me I was playing.
“I remember him telling me I deserved my chance and wishing me luck.
“I made my debut the same day as Stevie Mallan and we both probably had sleepless nights because you’d dreamed of it as a kid.
“So it was good for the gaffer to phone me.
“Now six years on he’s the guy I’m trying to prove myself to. You can usually tel l when players are management material and I felt that with him.”
Baird impressed for Ton last term and won’t rule out going on loan again but he would prefer to win a place in Goodwin’s side.
The defender said: “Once the Morton fans accepted I was wearing their strip and trying my best for them they were really good with me.
“It’s down to myself if I’m going to stay at St Mirren this season. This is the last season of my contract so it’s a big one for me.
“I signed for the club a month before my 15th birthday so I’ve almost been at the club for a decade .
“If the gaffer says I’d need to go on loan to get games then I would consider it.
“But I’ve got a whole pre-season to do so there’s a long way to go.”