Buddies boss Jim Goodwin firmly believes Connor Ronan has the quality to follow in Jamie McGrath’s footsteps and gain international recognition.
The build-up to last night’s clash was all about McGrath’s return to the St Mirren starting XI, having been left out of the side altogether in the club’s two previous games due to question marks over his future in Paisley.
But it was fellow midfielder Ronan who stole the limelight with a superb second-half strike that turned out to be the winner against Aberdeen as the hosts made it three wins from three since returning from the winter break.
And Saints manager Goodwin believes Wolves loanee Ronan has all the talent to follow McGrath’s progress into the Republic of Ireland national team, if he continues to shine at the SMISA Stadium.
Goodwin told Express Sport: “It was a brilliant goal. In the first half of the season, we found ourselves on the wrong end of those types of games.
“At half-time, with the way the game was going, I thought it would take something special — and I’m pleased Connor came up with a bit of magic.
“It was another quality goal and I think he can go again. He’s not the finished article — there’s still room for improvement.
“Jamie McGrath has had that international recognition and Connor is capable of doing the same.
“The FAI are well aware of the quality he has and he just needs to keep doing that.
“If he continues with performances and goals like that, it’ll be shown over social media and on TV and no doubt Stephen Kenny (Ireland boss) will see it.”
Last night’s victory — St Mirren’s third in three matches so far in 2022 — lifted the club to joint-seventh in the Premiership table, just three points behind the Dons and a coveted top-six spot.
Goodwin insists the club won’t get too far ahead of themselves but is more than pleased that the new formation the Paisley side worked on in the winter break is paying off in the form of victories.
He also paid tribute to McGrath for slotting seamlessly back into the fold, with his long-term future at the club still very much up in the air with the transfer window set to shortly slam shut.
Goodwin said: “What pleased me most was the discipline the team showed believing in the system and instructions we’ve given them.
“We worked hard on a different formation during the break and it gave me the chance to analyse the first half of the season.
“Things weren’t going to plan with the back three, so we changed things a bit and we’re seeing the benefit.
“The back lads will get the praise for the clean sheet but we defended well from the front.
“Jamie’s a St Mirren player until I get told otherwise. He was magnificent and showed the fans he cares and is committed to doing his best. I thought he was excellent.
“There wasn’t a single player who had a below par performance.
“The last time we won three, we didn’t win for the next 11 so we won’t get carried away.”
