Jim Goodwin has revealed he considered signing Ruari Paton permanently during his loan spell at Dundee United, but ultimately decided to pursue other options. The striker, who was on loan at Tannadice from Port Vale, later joined St Johnstone and helped them win the Championship title before making the move permanent.
Goodwin's praise for Paton
Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash at McDiarmid Park, Goodwin said: "The one thing I need to say is: I'm absolutely over the moon for Ruari that it's worked out well at St Johnstone."
"Ruari was quite high up on our list when he went back down to Port Vale after the loan had expired. He was one that we were considering, but we felt that there were some other options out there that we wanted to pursue."
Goodwin highlighted Paton's character and work ethic, saying: "People may not have seen his impact at Dundee United in terms of a goal return, but his attitude, work ethic on the pitch and the type of character he is around the place was important; he was such a bubbly, positive person."
St Johnstone's momentum
United have won their last two matches and face a Saints side level on points but above them on goal difference. Goodwin believes St Johnstone are coming up with real momentum, similar to when he took Dundee United up from the second tier.
"If you look back on St Johnstone over the last 12 to 18 months, they're not a team that's lost too many games. That matters," he said. "Even this season, when you look through their League Cup campaign and into the league, they've performed well."
"The games that they've lost have been very narrow defeats to the likes of Hearts and Celtic. In the other games, they've been really strong and have picked up some valuable points against the likes of Aberdeen at the weekend."
Goodwin added: "They're a team very similar to us a couple of years ago – coming up from the Championship with a lot of momentum, with a similar group of players who have got that bit between their teeth and want to prove a point to a lot of people that they belong in the Scottish Premiership."
"But with the confidence and momentum we have within the group, we are going to be very positive – I think it should make for a very entertaining game of football."
