Hayden is on the way up
Stubbs says full-back has loads of potential
St Mirren manager Alan Stubbs insists the best is yet to come from Hayden Coulson despite the youngster already catching the eye.
The 20- year- old full- back has impressed for the Buddies since arriving on a one- year loan deal from English Championship side Middlesbrough last month.
Coulson struck his first Saints goal on Saturday as he fired home the opener after only a minute in the 6-0 win over Dumbarton.
And he almost added a second later in the first half with an identical effort but was unlucky to see his strike come crashing back off the post.
For many, he has been a standout for the Paisley side – but Stubbs believes his summer signing still has more to give as he looks to raise the bar ahead of Saturday’s clash at home to Dundee.
Stubbs said: “Hayden does look a real find for us but he needs to make better decisions as well.
“In terms of potential – he has got a lot.
“But if we want him to go to where we think he can go to, there’s certainly aspects of his game he needs to tidy up.”
Stubbs also handed fellow loanee Matty Willock his debut against the Sons on Saturday after the Manchester United midfielder penned a season-long loan from the Red Devils on Friday afternoon.
Willock, who played for St Johnstone last season, caught the eye during his 60-minute stint on the park.
And Stubbs reckons he could go on to become an assest for his side over the course of the coming season.
He said: “Matty was very good, I was very pleased with his performance.
“I said when we signed him that we needed someone with the attributes he’s got.
“He gives a little bit more athleticism in there and an attacking threat going forward.
“He is still a little bit behind in terms of fitness, which is why we were happy to get 60 minutes out of him and we can build on that.”
But as the real football gets started this Saturday, Stubbs admits he was relieved to see the player’s set themselves up for the clash against Dundee with a win.
Stubbs added: “We have got a big week ahead of us in terms of getting the team ready.
“The real stuff starts at the weekend and it is the game that everything has been geared towards.
“The victory on Saturday will help them because they have had a little bit of a dent in the last couple of games.
“Everybody has got egos and their’s took a little bit of a dent so it was good for them to come back with a win.”