It’s the dreaded C word.
Christmas is hurtling towards us and, whether you want to start celebrating it yet or not, a lot of people have already started ramming it down the rest of the world’s throats.
It was literally two days after Halloween when my neighbour decided it was time to get the holly and tinsel out on her front door.
And the TV adverts have already fully kicked into gear, with supermarkets already selling this year’s turkey a full five weeks ahead of the main event.
It’s also contract extension signing season for many Scottish Premiership teams, with key assets being tied down to new deals before clubs come swooping in looking for a juicy January pre-contract treat.
For St Mirren fans there are quite a few players for whom a contract extension announcement would be a most welcome early Chrimbo present.
Even the most hopeful Saints supporters are starting to fear that Jamie McGrath will not be putting pen to paper on a new deal in Paisley any time soon.
The idea of the Ireland international signing another deal to pay something back to St Mirren and Jim Goodwin for bringing him into the Premiership spotlight is an appealing one.
But at the end of the day, the 25-year-old has developed well beyond the level that St Mirren can provide and he has fully earned the right to try and ply his trade at another level, be that in European football or (hopefully) in the English Premier League.
The Buddies may well be best served in cashing in on the influential playmaker in January and getting a lucrative sell-on fee, because to me McGrath does look destined for the very top of the game.
Elsewhere there are a couple of vital players that Goodwin and Tony Fitzpatrick must be doing all they can to persuade to prolong their stay at the SMiSA Stadium.
Scott Tanser has just over seven months left on his contract.
The former St Johnstone stalwart has been an ever-present in Goodwin’s starting XI since joining in the summer, putting in some incredible performances after slotting into the left wing-back position with consummate ease.
The defender signed with a one-year deal in the summer with the option of keeping him in Paisley for another year after that.
It would be a huge boost for the Buddies if that was to be signed and sealed soon as he has proven to be a superb acquisition in his time at the club so far.
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Another Saints player who has been absolutely excellent since joining in June last year is goalkeeper Jak Alnwick.
The former Newcastle and Rangers goalie has hardly put a glove wrong for the Buddies since stepping into Vaclav Hladky’s number one spot, pulling off a string of sensational stops in recent months.
A solid goalkeeper is worth their weight in gold in the Premiership, and persuading the Englishman to stay in Paisley would be another massive boost for Goodwin and the club’s supporters.
A fan favourite whose future always seems to be up for debate is experienced midfielder Ryan Flynn.
Despite a lack of game time in recent seasons, the former Sheffield United star decided to stay in Paisley last year - much to the delight of so many Saints supporters.
Like Tanser, Flynn and St Mirren have an option of extending his contract for another year and many Buddies would see him recommitting his future to the club as a massive boost heading into 2022.
So as St Mirren head into the frantic winter fixture list with a home clash with Livingston this weekend, what better way to get in the festive spirit than with a few new contracts under the tree for some key Buddies.
