JAKE Doyle-Hayes has admitted he is uncertain if he will remain at St Mirren beyond the end of the 2020/21 campaign – but predicted the Paisley club will go from strength to strength if he departs in the summer.
Former Republic of Ireland Under-21 internationalist Doyle-Hayes signed a season-long deal with the Premiership outfit when he was released by Aston Villa last summer and has done superbly for them this term.
However, speaking ahead of the final league game of the 2020/21 campaign against Dundee United at the SMISA Stadum this afternoon, the 22-year-old confessed he is unsure if he will return.
“I'm not sure if I'll be part of it,” he said. “I haven't been too keen to think about it until the season is over. I'll wait and see what happens. I'm just concentrating on our last game.
“I haven't even thought about whether I'll be here or not next season. I just want to get the season over with. I want to play every game to the best of my ability and we'll see how it goes.
“Whether I stay or not, the future is bright for this club. You see the talent we have in the team, even from the bench. We're a very good group, strong mentally, and we can play.
“I definitely feel I've improved since being here. Even mentally, you need to be so switched on because there's that pressure of getting the points. This can only stand me in good stead for my future.
“I'm a better player now than the one who left Aston Villa. I've matured because in academy football when you lose, it doesn't really matter. Here, it's all about winning and I've definitely matured on the pitch.
“I'm not sure I could get into the Aston Villa team now because they have unbelievable players. But I've definitely become a better player since I left.”
Doyle-Hayes continued: “I love playing in this league because it's very competitive. The top two are further, ahead but everyone else is at the same level. We don't fear anyone else in this league. We don't even fear Rangers and Celtic because we've beaten both of them this season.
“This team definitely allows me to play the way I want, especially with the manager's style. That's important. You have to play in a team that suits you and that's the case for me here.
“It's a young team and the disappointment from this season will definitely spur them on next year. They'll definitely go and make the top six and hopefully get another cup run. It's been brilliant, I've really enjoyed my time so we'll see what happens in the summer.”
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