Jim Goodwin says St Mirren have made Jamie McGrath a record contract offer

Jim Goodwin insists St Mirren haven't given up hope of holding onto Jamie McGrath after making the Ireland international a club record contract offer.

The Buddies midfielder earned his fifth cap for his country against Qatar on Tuesday night.

With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, Saints are bracing themselves for even more interest in last season's top goalscorer.

And while Goodwin admits the odds are stacked against the Paisley side hanging onto the talented 25-year-old, he's not given up hope just yet of hanging onto the man he brought to the club from Dundalk.

Goodwin said: "We're all extremely proud of what Jamie has achieved in the last 18 months.

"I watched the first hour of the Ireland game against Qatar and Jamie was excellent again. We're delighted for him.

"He was taken down for the penalty and I said to him this morning I was disappointed he handed the ball over so easily because I'd have loved to have seen him step up and take that. I've no doubt he'd have put it into the back of the net.

"I did stress to Jamie over the summer not to be disappointed about that the moves didn't happen because it might be a blessing in disguise.

"No disrespect to the clubs involved in the summer, but I believe come January there'll probably be another six or seven really big clubs interested. That's credit to Jamie.

"The kind of character he is, he could have thrown his toys out the pram when the deal wasn't allowed to happen but he's got on with things. He's shown he's willing to give his all for our jersey while he's here.

"We've made an incredible offer to Jamie, we need to make that clear. We've made him an offer we've never made a player in the history of the club.

"But we're not stupid. We know he's going to have numerous other offers and no doubt someone might come in and blow us out of the water.

"We want Jamie to know exactly what we think of him and reward him with a great contract. Whether he takes it or not, it's up to him but our supporters need to know we're not giving up hope just yet."

Goodwin believes McGrath being called-up as St Mirren player is huge in terms of the club's recruitment plans going forward.

He also believes his work ethic can help the club's other young international hopefuls, with Ethan Erhahon and Dylan Reid both involved in the Scotland under-21 and under-17 recently.

Goodwin said: "It makes my job a whole lot easier on the recruitment side of things and I have to give great credit to Stephen Kenny.

"It takes a lot of bravery and courage as an international manager to look to clubs like our own. You've seen it so many times with the Scottish and English set ups.

"David Turnbull is a really good example because he was pulling up trees at Motherwell and was one of the best midfielders in the country and couldn't get into the international set up. Then he moves to Celtic and a week later he's a Scotland international.

"The fact Jamie's getting the international recognition he deserves is fantastic for him and it's great inspiration for some of the younger players within our group as well.

"Connor Ronan comes into that category as do some of the young Scottish lads as well. The likes of Ethan Erhahon and Dylan Reid need to be looking that way as well.

"They need to have that aspiration to really kick on and take their careers to the next level and Jamie has done that. He's a great example that if you train hard, listen and learn and you're willing to develop then you can do that here at St Mirren."

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