BEN RAMAGE
St Mirren’s “star man” Kyle Magennis is the perfect example for the club’s young aspiring academy players to look up to.
That is the belief of manager Paul Goodwin after the promising midfielder was again selected for the Scotland Under-21 squad.
The club have had several youngsters from their youth set- up away on international duty recently.
And the gaffer believes it shows the academy is producing more talent to hit the pitch this season and beyond.
Goodwin said: “We’ve had plenty of the younger boys getting international recognition.
“We’ve got Jay Henderson away with the under 18s just now, and Ethan Erhahon away with the under-19s.
“The two Kyles were involved in the under- 21s in the last squad. Unforunately Kyle McAllister is not involved in this one but we’re delighted Kyle Magennis is.
“Kyle is one who we have really high hopes for.
“He’s been excellent. He’s probably been our star man so far this season and long may that continue.
“It’s always great the young boys get that recognition and that the St Mirren Academy gets recognised too.”
Magennis featured in Scotland under-21’s excellent recent wins over Croatia and San Marino. He will link up in October for their fixtures against Lithuania and Czech Republic next month.
And Goodwin believes the sky is the limit for the 21-year-old, with other St Mirren players moving on to the English Premier League and elsewhere in recent years.
He said: “We’ve had a number of players here in my time as a player who provide good examples for our kids to look up to.
“Kenny McLean and John McGinn are the most recent ones, with McAllister getting his move down to Derby too.
“There are a number of good role models and good examples that should give the kids here a bit of inspiration.”
Meanwhile the St Mirren strikers were out taking on extra shooting practice this week as they look to find some goalscoring form heading into the weekend’s clash with Hearts.
And Goodwin is convinced the tide will turn for his forwards if his team keep producing opportunities.
He said: “The pleasing thing for me against Hamilton was that we’re getting in good areas and creating opportunities.
“It would be a lot worse if we weren’t creating anything. If you look at the stats from Saturday they’re frightening. We had 35 crosses throughout the game, 16 shots, 65 per cent possession...so we dominated the ball.
“I know those numbers don’t mean a great deal to a lot of people but to me as manager they tells me that we’re getting in good positions and getting in the right areas. We’re doing everything right except adding that finishing touch.”
He added: “We’ve got some great centre-forwards here. They know the pressure is there for them to produce. They know their job is to go and score goals and assist.
“I’m not concerned in the slightest. I know it will change and I know we just haven’t been getting the break of the ball of late.”