Stephen will have to bide his time like everyone else
ANDY MCNAIR
St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin has revealed that club skipper Stephen McGinn will have to be patient as he bids to shine for Saints.
The midfielder is yet to feature in the top flight this season, partly due to an injury but also the impressive form of duo Sam Foley and Ryan Flynn have kept him out of the side.
Speaking to the club website, the gaffer praised the attitude of his skipper but has warned the 30-yearold he’ll have to sit tight and wait for his chance to arrive.
Goodwin said: “Stephen had a bit of a stop and start pre-season.
“He’s had a hamstring problem and came back a little too soon from that one after the East Kilbride game. It’s one we just need to be wary of.
“As that has happened Sam Foley and Ryan Flynn have struck up a half-decent partnership. It’s one of those things.
“I’ve been there myself as club captain and it’s a difficult one, but Stephen is still a big part of what we are trying to do here.
“He’s a top pro, he’s been great around the place and he’s just one that’s going to have to be patient and wait for his opportunity.”
Goodwin also pointed to the depth of the team he has put together this season, that the club captain won’t always be an automatic pick on a Saturday afternoon.
“I think that shows the strength we’ve got in the squad now that a player of Stephen’s quality doesn’t just walk right into the team,” Goodwin added.
The midfielder rejoined the Saints in 2017 after seven years away from Paisley where he turned out for Watford, Sheffield United and Dundee.
He has been a mainstay of the side for the last two seasons but has only managed three League Cup appearances this term.