JIM GOODWIN hopes that his current crop of St Mirren players will be inspired by their predecessors after watching Scotland’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Serbia on Thursday night.

John McGinn and Kenny McLean – two recent graduates of the Buddies’ academy system – both played important roles in the momentous victory for the national team in Belgrade, while Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland and head coach Steve Clarke are also one-time employees of the Paisley club.

Having produced players that have gone on to reach such dizzying heights gives Goodwin faith that the next generation can follow suit – with the Irishman tipping midfielder Ethan Erhahon for a bright future in the game.

Goodwin said: “As a club we are all really proud of the efforts of McLean and McGinn and the gaffer has an affinity with the club too.

“We have a big emphasis here on the youth academy. It’s fantastic for our club that our name gets mentioned with John McGinn and Kenny McLean and hopefully that will inspire other good young players to come to a club like ours. They know they will get the opportunities to play first team football.

“We also hope it can inspire the players already here. Ethan Erhahon we have real high hopes for. He is only 19 but has had a consistent run in the team in his favoured position. He is very mature in his playing style - he reads the game well, covers the ground and has a great range of passing.

“For me he is the next big thing. I’m not trying to put him out there or sell him because we are desperate to keep him for as long as we can. But there’s going to be teams looking at Ethan and we have a good history of producing talented players.

“We want to be holding onto them. We don’t want to be losing them to Hibs and Aberdeen like we did with McGinn and Magennis.

“We want to be in a position where we can make them an offer that is as good as the one they might get elsewhere. Obviously if the time comes when a particular move is life-changing then we don’t stand in the way of the player.

“We are really interested in developing young players and giving them a platform.”

With Erhahon making quite the impression on his manager, it should come as no surprise to learn that Goodwin has already got the ball rolling on a new contract for the youngster.

“We’re in constant dialogue with all of our good young players and as a club, we want to try and protect ourselves obviously but also to make sure each player is on a contract that reflects their ability,” Goodwin explained.

“We’re in the process of getting things done with Ethan and we’ll hopefully have an announcement on that in the coming weeks. It’s important that we do everything we can to hold onto these young and talented players and try to build a team around them.”

Goodwin describes himself as a proud Irishman and naturally, his allegiance is with the land of his birth when international football comes around.

He does, however, maintain a soft spot for the country that he has spent the majority of his professional career working in, with Goodwin adding that seeing Premiership players getting called up and giving a good account of themselves on the international stage acts as a form of vindication against those who downplay the game here.

He said: "I think far too often we talk our game down in this country. I think guys like [Andy] Considine and [Declan] Gallagher are a great example and give great encouragement to everyone else in the league.

"Lyndon Dykes is just a fantastic example for any up-and-coming young footballer. When I was at Alloa as manager, we played Queen of the South and I always liked him. I always wondered when someone would take an opportunity on him.

"Livingston did and got their rewards from it, a decent deal with QPR when he moved in the summer.

"He was playing Championship football with Queen of the South 18 months ago and now he's leading the line for Scotland in their most important game in 20-odd years last night and doesn't look out of place in the slightest.

"If anything you'd be thinking he's definitely Steve Clarke's number nine going forward. He's got everything for me, if he can add a few more goals then god knows where he could end up. He's got great mobility and desire for the game. Nice soft feet, aerially he competes really well and he works hard for the team.

"You could see the way his team-mates respond to him, they really appreciate the work he puts in from the front.

"There's great examples out there. Andy Considine getting the chance so late one. Again, some might scratch their head when Steve Clarke picks him in the squad but he was excellent in his debut.

"It's great for our game because it keeps our game relevant. When the team-lines come up and you see the likes of Motherwell and Aberdeen represented, and even when the likes of John McGinn and Kenny McLean come up and St Mirren get a mention, it's really important for our game that we're getting recognition."