Many happy returns for Buddies boss
St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin admits a first Premiership victory in over three months was the perfect birthday gift.
The Buddies picked up a crucial three points in the battle at the basement after Jake Doyle-hayes netted the only goal in the second half.
And Goodwin was thrilled with the result after turning 39 on Friday.
He said: “That was a fantastic birthday present from the lads.
“It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been on a poor run of form in the league.
“But since all the Covid shenanigans and the lockdown we’ve come back with a good draw against Dundee United and now three points here. Hopefully we can continue in that vein.
“It wasn’t a fantastic game, it never is here. The pitch doesn’t allow it and Livingston don’t allow it either.
“They are fantastic in what they do in terms of their energy and application. You know they will be up and at you and in your face.
“They don’t give opposition a lot of time on the ball and we had to match them in that.
“I felt we did that particularly well. There wasn’t a great deal between the teams but, being biased, I will say we slightly edged it.”
St Mirren remain 11th in the table, a point adrift of the Lions, but with three games in hand on the teams immediately above them in the table Goodwin insists the Buddies are looking up the way.
Bottom side Hamilton are four points worse off having played one more game.
Goodwin, whose side host Aberdeen in next weekend’s Betfred Cup last- 16 tie, added: “We have to be looking up the table, not down the way.
“I want the players to be in a positive mindset and believe, regardless of the opposition, that we are capable of winning.
“When I look at the squad I’ve got when everyone is fit and healthy, I’ve got great confidence in that group.
“We have good technical players in the team but at times we’ve lacked grit.
“And we showed that today in abundance. That’s why we ended up just shading it.
“It had 1- 0 written all over it and I’m just grateful we were able to get that allimportant goal.”