(Photo by Sammy Turner/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Marc McAusland had a St Mirren spell full of highs and lows – but he’s hoping the team he supported as a boy can emulate his achievements in 2013.
The centre-back, now settled in Iceland as he begins to coach and continues his playing career, helped St Mirren win the League Cup in 2013. He made over 150 appearances for the Paisley side, leaving in 2015 as the Buddies slipped out the Premiership.
Tough end. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
But over the piece, McAusland has told NTOF his St Mirren days were the best of his career: “2013 was a big season for myself. The way we won the cup and we finished high in the league, that cup win is the highlight of my career. I am 32 now and I am not going to do anything better.
“I do look back at it with fond memories but I can’t say I have watched the game or anything like that. Memories pop up on Facebook and things like that, things that make you think about it. But the way I finished at St Mirren was a bit disappointing.
“I was injured a lot of the season and I was struggling with my knee, the club and team were struggling. After February time we looked down and there was nothing we could do. There were a lot of players in that season, including myself, who weren’t good enough.
Things weren’t great. (Photo by Bill Murray/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“I cut my contract short in April because I wanted to get fit. I was playing through injury for four months and I had to think about myself. I was not the best player or most gifted but if I am on the pitch I will give 100%.
“I played with much better players at St Mirren but they are my hometown team. It’s the club I supported growing up and I will always have something for them. But although I was disappointed with how it ended, I had the best time of my career there winning the cup. Being a big part of that team is something to be proud of.”
Now McAusland’s former teammate is looking to create more history at St Mirren. Jim Goodwin will try to figure out a plan to get past Livingston in Sunday’s League Cup semi-final, a Livi side who are unbeaten in 10 under new manager David Martindale, who rested seven players midweek against Celtic.
St Mirren face Livingston on Sunday. (Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Hoping his good friend can overcome the Lions, McAusland knows it’ll be tough, but winning this and the final could elevate 2013 captain Goodwin further: “I understood why Livingston rested players as this is one of their biggest games in a long time, same as it is for St Mirren.
“They are on a great run and you could say overachieving. I would say they are on a better run than St Mirren. Fair play to them but I hope their form ends on Sunday. For Jim Goodwin, there’s not many who have won the League Cup as a player and a manager. For someone to do that at a club like St Mirren is incredible.
“It would put him in legendary status. When I played with Jim, the way he read and spoke about the game, you knew he was going to be a manager. He’s done it the way it should be done at Alloa, building his way up.
“His recruitment has been really good and he knows football, he’s brought a few Irish boys. I can’t praise him enough as he’s a great guy. Jim is a guy you want in your team, but if your are not, he doesn’t hold back. I can imagine him being like that as a manager.
“I am more hopeful St Mirren will do it but I think it will be very tight. quite tactical. I think both will be quiet defensive and reserved. I might be proven wrong and it could also go to penalties or extra-time. I’ll try to watch it and hopefully St Mirren get to the final.”
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