SAINT MIKAEL French striker Mandron so happy at St Mirren he considers himself a local
Mikael Mandron reckons home is where the heart is – but revealed he is enjoying life as a “local lad” at St Mirren.
The Buddies forward has pursued a somewhat nomadic existence as a professional footballer since leaving his native France at the age of 16.
Mandron has played for 11 clubs in as many years following his debut as a sub for Sunderland in a 6-1 defeat to Aston Villa in April 2013. There have been loan spells at Fleetwood Town, Shrewsbury Town and Hartlepool United as well as permanent stints with Eastleigh, Wigan Athletic, Colchester United, Gillingham (twice), Crewe Alexandra, Motherwell and now Saints.
While the 29-year-old has taken the ‘have boots, will travel’ motto in his stride, he admits his two-year deal at the SMiSA has provided stability.
And that’s because Mandron, partner Georgia and four-year-old son Knight – who live in Braehead – are looking forward to a new arrival in July.
“It definitely helps having an extra year with things like your family but I have been in positions where I knew I was out of contract and also that I knew I had a contract,” he said.
“I try not to focus on that. What’s important is what you do on the pitch and everything after that will take care of itself.
“Because of the way football is, nothing is ever secure. There is not a lot of consistency in terms of where you are playing, where you are living and what you are going to do with your family.
“I’m a very laidback person and don’t get worked up or anxious so for me it has been easy.
“I left France when I was 16 and have had to adapt to that. I’ve never been at home since then. It is very easy for me to move to one area of the country from another.
“As you get older, you might want to settle more and I have a family now. I live in Braehead – I’m a local lad really!
“I’ve definitely enjoyed my time in Scotland, and particularly here, and hopefully that may continue for as long as possible. I love living with the Scottish people. The north of the UK is what I would call home. That makes sense for me.
“I tend not to limit myself to any location.
“At the end of my career, I could go travelling or live somewhere else and be happy to do that.”
Mandron has bagged 10 goals this season and played a key role in helping the Buddies to a topsix Premiership finish which was clinched at the weekend.
He told in February how he qualifies to play for Scotland because his late grandmother, Margaret, was born in Aberdeen.
International ambitions and a Dark Blues dream remain but Mandron insists he won’t be sidetracked and will continue to let his football do the talking.
“It would be amazing but I can’t focus on that,” he added. “I have to focus on me.
“I work hard in training and do the best I can on the pitch.
“If we keep getting good results and I keep scoring goals, then you never know.”