JIM GOODWIN says there’s no point St Mirren selling goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky next month – as it would be impossible to replace him.
MLS outfit Houston Dynamo are keen to sign the Czech who is also attracting interest from a number of British clubs, including Rangers.
But Goodwin reckons keeping Hladky for the relegation battle is worth more than any fee they might get for the stopper in the window.
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He said: “To replace Vaclav with a goalkeeper of a similar level wouldn’t be possible with the money that we would have available.
“So the ideal situation for us as a club is to hold on to him. I speak regularly with Vaclav and the club does the same with his representatives and we’re all quite relaxed about the situation.
“We have contingency plans in place in case he does leave next month but I think it’s too difficult a position to replace.
“I understand that every player has a value. If someone comes in with a stupid offer that’s far too good to turn down then of course we’d consider it.
“But we wouldn’t consider any bids for any of our players if it was going to leave us weaker for the second half of the season.
“The main priority for the club is to make sure we’re a Premiership team again next season. To take a lump sum for a player in January and then leave yourself in danger of being relegated wouldn’t make any sense.
“Financially staying in this league would likely outweigh any bid that we’re going to get.”
And Goodwin says the player isn’t in any huge rush to leave either.
He added: “Vaclav is content to stay here for the remainder of the season. He appreciates what the club have done for him. He wasn’t getting regular football before he came here.
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“So he respects the fact this club gave him an opportunity to showcase his talents. He’s been the most consistent player in the team throughout this year and I think he wants to leave the club on a high. He’s not the type of person who will come banging down my door and demanding we accept any bid to let him go.
“If he wasn’t happy here that would be different. But I know how much he enjoys the club and working with Jamie Langfield and Dean Lyness on a daily basis.”
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