Anton’s full of praise for new gaffer Oran
Anton Ferdinand is convinced new St Mirren manager Oran Kearney has what it takes to make an impact in the professional arena. The former West Ham defender spoke after teaming up with the man who was a part-time teacher before his switch from Coleraine to great effect in Friday night’s draw with Celtic. “I have seen things already which make me think Oran can be a success,” he said. “I’ve worked with hundreds of managers in my time and, take it from me, you wouldn’t know he has just come out of part-time football from the way he’s been on the training pitch. “He has been great in the changing room and the way he’s acted has been impressive. “It took guts to play the way we did on Friday against Celtic. It was his first competitive game in full-time football. “He believes in the boys, and he believes in his ability as a manager, which I think everyone saw during the game.” Ferdinand, younger brother of ex-England and Manchester United star Rio, lasted 73 minutes of the 0-0 draw before coming off to a standing ovation from the Saints fans. “I enjoyed the game. I’ve only trained five days in the last two months so I was dead on my feet coming off the pitch,” he said. “I have watched Scottish football over the years especially Celtic v Rangers – I have yet to see the derby live, but I’ll do that this year as everyone tells me it is the best there is – and am happy to be at St Mirren. “I am just a boy that wants to play football. It is what it is. Wherever my career takes me it takes me. “Everyone has a path to follow, and I just want to play football. I’m a boy from Peckham who has lived his dream and is still living his dream. And that is to play football at a high level. “To come up here to Scotland and play in the Premier League is a really high level. I’m here to play well and enjoy it.”