Leigh Griffiths to St Mirren transfer news as Jim Goodwin backs himself to turn striker's fortunes on one condition

Jim Goodwin is considering offering Leigh Griffiths the chance to kick-start his career in Paisley - but only if St Mirren striker Eamonn Brophy is ruled out for the long-term.

Griffiths is a free agent after knocking back the chance to stay at Dundee but Buddies boss Goodwin believes he’s just the man to get him fit and firing again.

The former Celtic hitman already has options, including from ambitious League One outfits Falkirk and Queen's Park, but Goodwin has no doubt the former Scotland favourite could yet have a top-flight future if he can sharpen up and shed the pounds.

The Saints boss has already held talks with Griffiths’ agent but has yet to table a firm offer.The final call on that will depend on how long frontman Brophy - who damaged ankle ligaments against Motherwell on Tuesday - faces out of action.

But Goodwin is already preparing his sales pitch and is confident he could get the 31-year-old back amongst the goals.

He said: “I’d definitely fancy myself to manage players in the way that would get the best out of them.

“Leigh is a player I’ve admired from afar because he’s always been out of our reach, playing for Celtic and banging in goals for them at the highest level.

“It’s less than five years ago that he was scoring those fantastic free-kicks for Scotland against England.

“Unfortunately, we’d all agree it hasn’t quite worked out for him in the last 12-18 months but he’s still a good player and one of the most natural goalscorers Scotland have got.

“Look, it’s up to Leigh where he wants to go from now until the end of the season.

“But he’s definitely on my list at the moment, depending on the outcome of Eamonn Brophy’s scan on his ankle.”

Griffiths netted three times in 17 run-outs for James