Jim Goodwin: In-form Buddies should expect to win every game

Jim Goodwin claims his in-form St Mirren side are going into games “expecting to win” ahead of Kelty Hearts’ visit in the Scottish Cup.

The Buddies are unbeaten in 2022, with five wins and a draw in all competitions taking them into sixth place in the cinch Premiership, one point behind Motherwell and Dundee United, and the Paisley side’s boss could not be more pleased.

“The run we are on now is probably a surprise to people outside our dressing room more than the staff and players,” said Goodwin, who hopes to have Scott Tanser in his squad for Saturday’s fifth-round clash after he recovered from a knock.

“For the last couple of seasons we have spoken about becoming a team that can compete for the top half of the table.

“We are not there yet, we can only call ourselves a top-six team if we finish there one season and hopefully we will do that this season.

“The boys are on a great run of form, winning games breeds confidence and gives everybody that real sense of belief and you just go into every game now expecting to win.

“We don’t underestimate any opposition. We will give Kelty Hearts as much respect as any Premiership team we face but we have just a great sense of belief in the group now.

“We know we have to apply ourselves properly, we know that we can’t drop our standards but also we know that if we play to the levels that we have been playing consistently in the last few weeks, then we give ourselves a great chance of progressing.”

Kelty Hearts knocked out holders St Johnstone in the last round but Goodwin was already impressed with Kevin Thomson’s  side, who are 10 points clear of Forfar at the top of League 2.

He said: “They are a very good side, a very well organised team. Kevin Thomson is a good young manager