Jim’s afraid he won’t be fans’ best Buddie
Jim Goodwin admits he’s walk ing into the unknown when he faces his old club St Mirren.
There were many Buddies fans who came down hard on the Irishman when he joined Aberdeen mid season.
And he’s unsure what kind of aggro might come his way from the visiting support as they bring the curtain down on a miserable campaign.
Saints sat in sixth spot when he left them for Dons but both clubs will battle it out today in what is a meaningless game.
It’s the first chance to see his old players since his February departure but he’s unsure how the Buddies fans will react.
He said: “I’m not sure what kind of reception I’m going to get.
“There are a lot of fans who are unhappy with the way in which I left.
“The majority of the ones that have been in touch with me have been understanding of the reasons behind leaving the club when I did.
“The opportunity to come to a club of the size and stature of Aberdeen, with the history and resources available, it would have been extremely difficult to turn down.
“I loved my time at St Mirren. It’s a club that will always hold a big place in my heart.
“I am grateful to them for giv ing me the opportunity to get into full-time management.
“We had relat ive success without setting the world alight.”
Goodwin, who admits he has failed to motivate his Pittodrie players since taking over from Stephen Glass, is ready to start a serious recruitment programme.
Despite that, he still has a soft spot for the players he left behind.
He said: “I look forward to seeing familiar faces in the St Mirren squad.
“I brought every single one of them to the club.
“That is a part of the job that I really enjoy – the recruitment.
“Those players such as Connor Ronan winning all the awards, Alex Gogic, Joe Shaughnessy, Jak Alnwick – they are all my boys. I have the utmost respect for them.”