Flashback Big Joe pounced in the nick of time
With St Mirren’s transfer business just getting started, it is time to look back at a signing that made a massive impact in a short space of time.
It’s still a long way away until transfer deadline day – we all love a transfer.
However, hark back to the days of St Mirren’s title winning season of 1999/2000 and you could sign whoever you wanted until March 31.
And, with an exciting brand of football on the park, it was also exciting off it as boss Tom Hendrie used up every second of the window to bring in three new players before it slammed shut.
In came German striker Jens Paeslack, Rangers kid Paul McKnight on loan and a familiar face in Ricky Gillies returning to the club.
St Mirren, at this point, looked to be on the title charge in their bid to keep up the pressure on Short but sweet
St Mirren FC is a club with a proud tradition — and a history to match.
They have been at the centre of the Scottish game since their formation in 1877.
Today, we look back at the career in a Saints jersey for defender Joe McLaughlin.
Dunfermline as the two sides fought it out for the trophy.
And a big crowd made it through to New Broomfield the following day to see their new men in action, though they may have been disappointed to see McKnight and Gillies not included in the matchday squad.
Paeslack was included, albeit as a substitute, as he replaced Steven McGarry at half-time.
The Buddies arrived in Airdrie looking to return to winning ways having been held to a disappointing 0-0 draw the previous week.
A draw on paper may not have seemed like a bad result, but with opponents Clydebank in freefall and Saints having previously dismantled them 8-0 earlier in the season, the result would have raised eyebrows.
The additional firepower amongst the squad meant you would have expected the strikers to have made the breakthrough.
So it came as an even bigger surprise at who the eventual goalscorer would be.
Former Chelsea defender Joe McLaughlin, approaching his 40th year, had been another addition during the window.
He was brought in as cover to the defence following a stint with Clydebank, and would only feature on three occasions for the club as he also helped in a coaching capacity.
But with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, McLaughlin rose highest to nod home a corner to send the Saints support into raptures.