Glad to have my Bud back
McGinn hails Magennis’ return
St Mirren captain Stephen McGinn has revealed he’s delighted to have Kyle Magennis back alongside him in the middle of the park.
Magennis returned to the fold last weekend to a standing ovation from the supporters who made the trip to Dumbarton for the 2-0 win. He took to the field as a second-half substitute as the Buddies bagged the three points.
Magennis was a regular in the heart of the midfield, playing with the likes of McGinn, Stevie Mallan and Lewis Morgan last season.
Now McGinn’s tipping him to recapture the form that saw him called up to the Scotland under-20 squad for the Toulon tournament.
McGinn said: “You could tell by the fans’ reaction how massive it is to have him back.
“For someone so young, he was a huge player for us last year. And he will be a huge player for us this season once he is up to full speed.
“To have him out in the first place was a massive blow for us at the start of the season.
“Psychologically for everyone at the club, it was a massive boost to have him back out there alongside us.
“He has shown that he can do it at club and international level, so I’m looking forward to him being back in the side.”
McGinn said that he is looking forward to seeing the St Mirren midfield back to full strength, with the side having had to contest with a number of injuries since the season kicked off.
Having played with the Buddies when they were in the Premiership, the skipper has gone as far to describe the current crop of players as among the best that he has worked alongside.
He added: “It is different because it was a Premiership side the last time I was here.
“But there are some really exciting young players at the club right now. To get that three back in the midfield that were so crucial to us last season is key, with Morgy, Cammy Smith and Magennis back together is fantastic.
“They are huge players for us, no matter how young they are.
“At times in my second spell at the club, they have been as good as anything that we have had together.”