Another blow for Buddies as Jake joins injury list
Don’t talk to Jim Goodwin about the luck of the Irish as the St Mirren manager left Pittodrie with a point but also another player suffering serious injury. Jake Doyle-hayes left the ground on crutches after failing to reappear for the second half of the draw against Aberdeen. The midfielder damaged his foot challenging for a back post cross near the end of the opening period and Goodwin fears the worst. Doyle-hayes will need an X-ray to assess the damage but he joins a long casualty list that includes recent signing Eamonn Brophy, Kristian Dennis and Jamie Mcgrath.
The Buddies Waterford-born manager can’t believe his team have been dealt so many bad blows just as they try to secure their highest league finish in 36 years. He said:“we have had one thing after another with Brophy serious injury, Dennis serious injury and Mcgrath now needing shoulder surgery.
“Jake’s one doesn’t look good at all. He went up for a header and landed awkwardly and he has left on crutches.
“It looks to be a problem with his heel. Worst case scenario it could be a stress fracture and that would suggest it will be a serious one.” On the plus side Goodwin was delighted with the way his side bounced back after the midweek 4-0 thrashing at home to Celtic.
The Buddies boss was in the last St Mirren side to win at Pittodrie 11 years ago but the terrible weather conditions at the venue yesterday never made a repeat possible. Instead it was all about grit and determination to earn a point that saw them slip on point behind Dundee United and drop out of the top six. However with a run of four home games to come starting with the visit of Hamilton Accies on Wednesday Goodwin knows they are still on track for a highest finish since 1985.
He added:”it was an horrendous game of football in the grand scheme of things but, it was always going to be like that in the conditions.
“It was never going to be pretty. It was a test of character.
“I thought both sets of players managed it really well and while it was no great spectacle there was no lack of commitment. “And I was pleased with the way the players responded after the disappointment of defeat against Celtic. “Celtic deserved to win but I wasn’t happy with the way we lost three of those goals at the end. “It was a great reaction as I thought it was a very professional performance throughout the team and we need to take that forward.”