Stephen Robinson yesterday confirmed St Mirren young gun Kieran Offord has been given the go ahead to seal a big-money move to Northern Ireland.
The Buddies gaffer revealed the club have accepted six-figure offers from Belfast’s Big Two Glentoran and Linfield for the striker. Negotiations between the player and the Premiership sides across the North Channel are ongoing.
The 20-year-old was this week recalled from a successful loan spell at another Belfast side, Crusaders, where he scored 10 goals in the first half of the season.
Saints have also put a new deal on the table for Offord who is out of contract at the end of the season and Buddies gaffer Robbo insists the final decision on his future lies with the player.
“It’s all moved very quickly,” he said. “Kieran was offered a new contract last week which he was considering. In between times, we’ve had two six-figure offers, from two Irish league sides, both of which have been accepted.
“Kieran’s out of contract at the end of the season so he’s able to speak to anybody he wants and he’s done it the right way. We’ve granted him permission to speak to both clubs.
“He’s currently doing that at this moment in time. We’ve protected ourselves. It’s difficult for this club to turn down six-figure fees for a young man who hasn’t made an impact in the first team as of yet.
“We’ve also got a protection in there so, if he does leave, we’ll have a large, large sell-on fee should he go on and do well in his career.
“It may be he decides he wants to start his career at a very good club like Linfield or Glentoran. It will be up to him on that decision.”
Offord could be the latest graduate from the Ralston academy to move on to pastures new after Lewis Jamieson signed for Sacramento Republic in the United States.
The 22-year-old had spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Championship side Raith Rovers – working under boss Neill Collins.
Last month, Collins quit Kirkcaldy for California and now Jamieson will link up with him at USL Championship outfit Republic.
“It’s a fantastic move for LJ,” Robbo said. “We felt it was wrong to try and stand in LJ’s way with a life-changing opportunity and a complete change of lifestyle.
“The club have got a good deal. We’re protected in terms of – if he goes and does very well – future sell-ons, and money as well if he hits certain goals within that contract. So, he leaves with our best wishes.
“He’s a fantastic young man and it will be a style of football that will probably suit him over there.”
Storm Eowyn yesterday impacted Saints’ preparations for this afternoon’s Premiership clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The squad didn’t train ahead of a planned 6pm team bus departure to the Granite City last night. Robbo says pre-match fine tuning will be completed this morning.
“Our indoor facility we were using at Toryglen was closed,” Robbo explained. “Ravenscraig was the same. So, there was nowhere to train. Then you have to take in the travel situation as well.”
On the injury front, Conor McMenamin (calf/achilles) is a long-term absentee while defender Alex Iacovitti looks set to miss three weeks with a hamstring strain.
The manager also indicated that Saints were still in the market for “two or three” loan signings while there has been interest from other clubs in “three or four” of the Buddies squad.
Don’t miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here