Adam Hammill still backs himself as a player – and revealed he joined St Mirren because manager Oran Kearney does too.
The 30-year-old wideman has endured a summer of frustration and worry since being released by Barnsley in May.
A move to Australia failed to materialise after talks with Perth Glory broke down, while he walked away from a number of other clubs when their valuation of his ability failed to match his own.
But he has decided to kick-start his career in Paisley with a short-term deal until January after being bowled over by the enthusiasm of the new Saints boss.
Hammill, who follows Anton Ferdinand, Dean Lyness and Simeon Jackson to become Kearney’s fourth signing since he was appointed last month, said: “It can be frustrating when you go so many months without a club but you have got to be strong.
“I trained at a few clubs but the deals on offer weren’t right for me. I’m now at the stage where I want to be playing week in, week out. So this was the perfect opportunity.
“I had to sum all the destinations and places up but sometimes money doesn’t sway you. Being valued does.
“I spoke to the gaffer here about the ambition of the club and how I was valued as a player and that was massive in me moving here.
“I think my experience can help the club with the position it’s in. You also need hungry players and each of the signings the gaffer has made are determined to prove a point.
“They feel they are still capable of playing at a certain level. I always believed in my own ability and I still do.”
The former Liverpool youth product had a memorable spell on a six-month loan deal at Dunfermline as a teenager.
The gifted dribbler even helped the Pars reach the 2007 Scottish Cup final, and while he may be 11 years older, he reckons there is still plenty of life in him yet.
“I still want to be that kind of player – exciting, creating and scoring chances,” he said.
“But I’ve added the defensive side and an understanding to my game. I’ve played a lot more positions – I even had a run of six games in centre-mid for Barnsley towards the end of last season, so I’m a lot more versatile.”
Hammill could make his debut against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday but he also has his eye on November’s clash with Rangers as he looks ahead to a reunion with his former Anfield idol Steven Gerrard.
“I was at Melwood with Stevie, trained with him, even played in a select XI with him against Tranmere,” he recalled.
“He’s earned legendary status at Liverpool and is probably the best player I’ve ever seen in a red shirt.
“Now he’s taken the jump into management and anyone who supports Liverpool will be eager to see how he does.
“He’s started really well but you could always see the leadership qualities he had from the beginning with the influence he had on the pitch.
“You have different types of captains. You have the ones who shout and ones who lead by inspiration and I think he was both.”
