BEST OF BOTH WORLDS AS DUTY CALLS FOR SEVEN PLAYERS SAINTSSTARS PUTTINGCLUB ONGLOBALand STAGE
Robbo: International call-ups a testament to recruitment policy
Stephen Robinson reckons St Mirren’s national team heroes can fly the flag and sell the club to potential new recruits.
The Buddies have six first-team players away on international duty this week after they received call-ups.
Right-sided defender Elvis Bwomono is with Uganda for their friendlies against Comoros and Ghana while popular centreback Alex Gogic has joined Cyprus for games with Latvia and Serbia.
Midfielder Keanu Baccus is with Australia for a crucial World Cup qualifying double header against Lebanon and striker Jonah Ayunga will star for Kenya in a four-nations tournament in Malawi.
Meanwhile, midfielder Caolan BoydMunce and winger Conor McMenamin are part of Northern Ireland’s squad for matches against Romania and Scotland – Buddies assistant manager Diarmuid O’Carroll joins them as a member of Michael O’Neill’s coaching staff. Teenager Gallagher Lennon – currently on loan at League Two promotion hopefuls Dumbarton – was also called up to Northern Ireland’s Under19s group.
Buddies boss Robinson (left) is proud to see so many at the club gain international recognition after impressive domestic displays.
And as well as justifying the behind-the-scenes recruitment work, the manager feels Saints’ globetrotters are poster boys when it comes to future moves in the transfer market.
“It says a lot about the recruitment and the staff here,” Robbo said.
“We have recruited players we believed had potential for St Mirren and to kick on.
“They have worked ever so hard to get there and we’re delighted for all of them.
“There are seven away including young Gallagher with Northern Ireland Under19s.
“For the club, it’s fantastic progress and it will help us attract other players.
“We can give people platforms and push their careers on.”
Robinson will shore up the numbers for training at Ralston by raiding the club’s academy – but confirmed the free week also allows first-team players to rest up after Saturday’s disappointing 5-2 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
“It’s hard but it gives us the chance to bring some of the young lads up from the youth team,” he added.
Saints’ next game in their quest for back-to-back top-six finishes is against Motherwell on Saturday, March 30.
A home clash with Hearts on Saturday, April 6, and a tough trip to reigning champions Celtic on Saturday, April 13, complete the Paisley side’s pre-split Premiership fixtures.
●The SMiSA Stadium tonight plays host to Scotland Under-21s’ European Championships qualifier against Kazakhstan.Kick-off is 7pm and tickets at www.stmirren.com/matchtickets.