Stephen McGinn is enjoying life as the Under-18s coach at St Mirren as he admits that he feels it has been the “right decision” to progress into coaching.
The 35-year-old joined the Buddies on a full-time basis last year after working with the club part-time since November 2023 – primarily with the Under-16s – after retiring from playing in the previous summer.
Having come through the Buddies youth system and gone on to captain the club while making over 200 appearances in two spells, as well as be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, it’s full circle for the former player being back in the youth set-up.
McGinn, who also turned out for teams such as Watford, Sheffield United, Hibernian, Kilmarnock and Falkirk, says that being offered the role to become the Under-18s coach by Allan McManus [head of youth] was an opportunity that “really excited” him.
Speaking exclusively to the Paisley Daily Express, he said: “I love it. It was something I really enjoyed doing, working with the Under-16s, who half of them I worked with then are now in the Under-18s.
“The nights at Ralston were something I enjoyed and combining that when I was still playing at Falkirk. But when Allan offered me the opportunity to come in and work with the 18s full-time, it was something that really excited me.
“I feel that has been the right decision because, as much as I loved my playing career, I knew that time was up for me.
“Going into work every day with the lads gives me a real buzz and my job is to try and make them better footballers and get used to winning football matches. And that is my drive now.”
The young Buddies have been having a fantastic time on the pitch as they currently prepare for an epic battle in the next round of the Scottish Youth Cup against Queen’s Park on Friday, January 24.
In their run throughout the competition, they have impressed McGinn with their attitude, desire and willingness to learn.
So far, they have conquered Alloa Athletic [second round], Caledonian Braves [third round] and Hearts [fourth round] while only conceding one goal and scoring 16.
They have also come out on top against Rangers’ young side in the Under-18s league, where they sit above the likes of Dundee United, Celtic, Motherwell and Hearts.
Products such as Evan Mooney, Callum Penman and Luke Kenny have turned out for the youth sides before going on to make a senior first-team appearance.
In the last Youth Cup tie against Hearts, young Mooney stole the show with an impressive hat-trick, with McGinn admitting that his goalscoring form will not go unnoticed by first-team manager Stephen Robinson.
And McGinn says the cup run has been great for the team as it will allow them to get used to the pressure of winning, as well as playing in front of some crowds. He added: “Some of the games we have had we have been the favourites on paper to win the game.
“And the club have been hugely supportive of allowing the boys to play games at the stadium, with the manager and Keith Lasley [chief operating officer] rating the Youth Cup really highly.
“That adds some pressure to be playing in front of the first-team manager, Keith and the fans, too. I have been happy with how they have dealt with it.”
McGinn added of the challenge ahead: “The next round, we have a real battle with Queen’s Park being a good side, and the goal is to make the last four in the competition.”
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