SAINTS ARE IN SEVENTH HEAVEN
Saints secure seventh spot and best finish in 32 years
Jim Goodwin was thrilled to steer St Mirren to a historic seventh place spot.
The Buddies hadn’t finished as high in the top flight since 1989, a stat the manager was desperate to change having missed out on the top six just a few months earlier.
Saints’ goalless draw with Dundee United yesterday, coupled with Motherwell’s surprise home defeat to Ross County, saw the Paisley side finish best of the rest with 45 points.
That tally was a record haul since the SPL was formed in 1998, and saw the Buddies finish level with St Johnstone and Livingston who ended up 5th and 6th respectively.
On finishing seventh, Goodwin told Express Sport: “I’m delighted.
“We had to reset our goals after missing out on the top six and we wanted to be best of the rest, and we have achieved that.
“Financially it means a lot for the club with the extra position in this time of real difficulty.
“The money will help bring in quality players and the infrastructure so it means a lot.
“It’s been a successful season when you look back on things.
“There were a few missed opportunities and we had to regroup and made sure the heads never went down but it is great credit to everyone for what we have achieved.
“The game meant a lot to both clubs and I’m thrilled to be finishing seventh.”
While Goodwin admitted he would be allowing himself to celebrate the season last night with a drink or two, he’ll quickly be back to focusing on improving for the Buddies next campaign.
That will start with rebuilding his squad, with Jon Obika one of a number of players expected to move on.
Goodwin said: “We will release a statement next week so people know who is leaving.
“We are in talks with one to two about renewing their deals.
“It’s the nature of the beast, unfortunately, that players come and go.
“The players who are leaving go with our best wishes and I have no doubt they will be fixed up.
“We can enjoy this moment but come tomorrow it is back to work for next season as it never stops.
“I love the recruitment side of things and we will work hard in the summer to make sure we are stronger than this season.”