Kristian Dennis says he couldn’t turn down the lure of the Scottish Premiership after swapping Notts County for St Mirren.
The 30-year-old striker has signed a two-year deal in Paisley as manager Jim Goodwin strengthens the department he was eager to bolster. The Saints boss hasn’t been in shy in admitting he was after a forward or two and Dennis is his latest capture.
NEW SIGNING ‼️ St Mirren Football Club is delighted to announce that Kristian Dennis will #BeInThatNumber after agreeing a two-year deal with Saints. Find out more now📲https://t.co/M0voXJTuzS pic.twitter.com/hVkkNAsjlH
— St Mirren FC (@saintmirrenfc) August 19, 2020
He could feature this afternoon as St Mirren go looking for their third win of the season from four games against Ross County. It’ll be a challenge, but one Dennis is willing to rise to.
“I was away on holiday and I got a message from my agent saying there was a bit of interest up in Scotland,” said Dennis. “We got a train up and the gaffer brought us to the ground. I was really impressed with it and it was a no-brainer. The manager said he wanted another striker and I fitted the bill. I had never thought about a move to Scotland.
“I was still in negotiations with Notts County. They offered me a deal so I was still talking to them but as soon as this popped up it was too good an opportunity to turn down. Coming up and getting a feel for the place, playing in the Scottish Premiership, big games on Sky every week, just the coverage you get up here as well. I thought it would be a great opportunity for myself and hopefully I will enjoy my football.
Kristian Dennis is a Buddie. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
“I’m hopefully looking forward to scoring. I’d say it feels like a big step up but I’ve played in League One and League Two in England. Hopefully I can prove myself up here.”
Words from McGinn
Having not known much about Scottish football prior to his Paisley arrival, he sought advice from a face and surname very familiar to St Mirren fans.
Paul McGinn was asked for his opinion of the Saints by Dennis and a glowing review was given by the current Hibs defender. It’s nice for Dennis to know there’s a familiar face in the league as he looks to push his new club to a record finish.
Helping hand from McGinn. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
“I have that self confidence in front of goal and hopefully I will start showing that when I’m on the pitch,” said Dennis. “I spoke to Paul McGinn who I was at Chesterfield with.
“I messaged him straight away and he couldn’t have spoken more highly of it. It was brilliant, I got on well with him when I was at Chesterfield. To know someone up here I can talk to if I am struggling a bit up here has put my mind at ease.
“The gaffer said the highest the club have finished is eighth. This season they are really looking to break into that top six so to be part of that would be brilliant. Hopefully I can score some goals and push the team up the league.
Top six push. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
“My last game was August 2nd, so I have had about two weeks off. We’ll see what the managers has in his plans this weekend.”