Many happy returns for Goodwin and his Buddies
Jim: Win’s a gift after Covid chaos
Bir thday boy Jim Goodwin reckons St Mirren’s win at Livi was a gift for everyone at the club.
Jake Doyle-Hayes struck in the second half to seal Saints’ first league win since August.
Goodwin, who turned 39, was thrilled and dedicated the result to Saints staff who have been through the mill in recent months with Covid chaos.
The Buddies boss said: “That was a fantastic bir thday present from the lads. It has been a long time coming.
“We’ve been on a poor run of form in the league.
“But since al l the Covid shenanigans and the lockdown we’ve come back with a good draw against Dundee United and now three points here.
“Hopefully we can continue in that vein.
“There’s relief for everybody. I’m not stupid – as a manager you’re ultimately judged on results. And ours in the league haven’t been good enough.
“I could list all the reasons and excuses for why that has happened. But with a fully-fit squad I believe we’re as good as most teams in this league.
“I hope we’ve had all our share of bad luck and can now start to be optimistic.
“This win was for everybody at the club as it has been a really difficult time.
“We’ve had a lot to deal with and we’ve come through it together. Fingers crossed we’re on the right road now. We have to be looking up the table, not down the way. I want the players to be in a positive mindset and believe, regardless of the opposition, that we are capable of winning.
“We have good technical players in the team but at times we’ve lacked a little bit of grit.
“We showed that today in abundance. That’s why we ended up just shading it.
“It had 1- 0 written all over it and I’m grateful we were able to get that all-important goal.”
Saints shaded a tight clash thanks to a deflected secondhalf strike from Doyle-Hayes, who rattled home after Livi’s defence cleared a Jamie McGrath corner to him at the edge of the box.
Goodwin believes Saints have landed a cracker in the ex-Aston Villa youngster.
He added: “Jake is quality and we’ve been very lucky to get him. It’s a good bit of business from our point of view.
“We’re very fortunate to have him because of circumstances and finances at many clubs.
“A year ago we wouldn’t have got him as other teams would have snapped him up.
“He’s showing everyone what a good player he is. Apart from his goal his all-round play is very good and he’s not afraid to mix it either.”