MX23RW : Thursday, April 22 21:22:26| >> :600:89164:89164:

Jim Goodwin: 'Republic of Ireland should select Jamie McGrath'

Jim Goodwin: 'Republic of Ireland should select Jamie McGrath'
© Reuters
Jamie McGrath scored twice in his club's 3-0 cup win over Hamilton.

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin believes Jamie McGrath deserves a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad on the back of his consistent performances.

McGrath scored his 12th and 13th goals of an impressive season in Saturday's 3-0 Scottish Cup third-round win over Hamilton.

Ireland are winless in 11 matches under manager Stephen Kenny and Goodwin – who won one cap for the Irish B team in his playing days – feels that McGrath deserves a place in the next squad.

He said: "The Republic of Ireland team is crying out for goals and creativity. Stephen Kenny has a hard enough job without me telling him who to pick but Jamie supplies both.

"I think he deserves to be in there ahead of some of the others currently in the squad. He sets the standards in training and if he can keep doing what he is doing he hopefully gets the recognition he deserves from the FAI.

"His first goal on Saturday was outstanding in terms of his technique and his composure. With no disrespect to anyone else, he is easily the best player I've ever worked with as a manager.

"All the other players look up to him, not because he's a shouter and bawler or because he goes flying into tackles, but because of the courage he shows in the way he plays."

Goodwin also challenged his players to go a step further than they managed in the League Cup this season.

St Mirren knocked out Aberdeen and Rangers before being beaten in the semi-finals and their manager hopes they can get back to Hampden in the other cup competition.

He added: "I said to the guys before the game you can win a couple of games and you are in the quarter-final.

"If the draw is kind to you then you have the opportunity of getting back to Hampden again. We would love to emulate what happened in the League Cup when we reached the semis and even go a step further if we can.

"The way the competition is, all the motivation is there to go far."

ID:441802: cacheID:441802:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3258:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Hamilton Academical manager Brian Rice pictured in August 2020
Read Next:
Brian Rice left furious with Scottish FA as Hamilton lose to St Mirren
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CRangersRangers33285078106889
2Celtic33209466244269
3Hibernian33168944311356
4Aberdeen331310103231149
5Livingston33128134041-144
6St Johnstone331010133440-640
7St Mirren331010133038-840
8Dundee UnitedDundee Utd33912122943-1439
9Motherwell3398163251-1935
10Ross County3385202659-3329
11Kilmarnock3384213347-1428
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton3369183160-2927

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!