HIBERNIAN midfielder Stevie Mallan has recalled how he would try his utmost not to incur the wrath of team-mate Jim Goodwin during his formative years at St Mirren.
For at least 90 minutes this afternoon, however, Mallan and the Leith outfit will be planning to compound the new Pailsey manager’s early season woe with victory on the opening day of the Premiership.
Mallan appreciated the advice Goodwin gave him during their time together as one career was beginning and another was ending.
The example Goodwin set on the training ground also left a lasting impressing on the former Scotland Under-21 internationalist.
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“He was a hard guy to train with, I’ll tell you that,” said Mallan.
“Growing up, we had a thing on a Friday when we’d play small-sided games, old against young – so I was never in his team. I was always up against him.
“If a team is getting beat, like any person, they become an angry man and everyone knows Goody’s angry side. But it kept you one your toes, kept you a bit sharper a bit more aware of who was about. He’s one man you wouldn’t want to take the mickey out of. He was a hard guy, but he was a great guy as well.”
Unlike the aggressive style for which he was renowned on the pitch, Goodwin had Alloa playing an expansive and entertaining brand of football before he made the summer move back to St Mirren, who failed to progress from their Betfred Cup group.
Mallan admits he owes a debt of gratitude to the 37-year-old for helping to shape his career.
He added: “He was a really good coach. When I was coming through and he was edging out a bit but fair enough to him he was always really good to me, coaching me while I was playing. Goody was always one man who was there and he kept me level headed.
“He made sure my performances were high, giving me tips whenever I needed it.
“I have a lot of time for Goody because he had a lot of time for me when I needed as well.
“From what I know of him as a player and a coach, he’s going to put out a good St Mirren side which is going to be tough to beat and that will make Saturday all the harder.
“I think I see a bit of him I did in (former St Mirren manager) Jack Ross, the way he wants to coach and play football.
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“As a fans’ favourite all the fans are going to love him, he is a really good coach and I think it’s going to be a hard St Mirren team to beat.”
Goodwin’s new signing Sam Foley, meanwhile, says he was convinced to make his St Mirren switch after receiving a list of glowing references hailing Jim Goodwin and Scottish football.
The midfielder – whose arrival in Paisley has been followed by the capture of Hull defender Sean McLoughlin on a six-month loan – says his mind was made up when the reports on Goodwin and the game in Scotland all came back overwhelmingly positive.
The former Newport, Yeovil, Port Vale and Northampton player said: “The move came about after I got a phone call from the manager and we had a great chat. He sold me the dream I suppose.
“We hit it off and everything he said really struck a chord with me. I spoke to a few lads who had been up here and the decision was easy in the end after that.”
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