Jim Goodwin admits St Mirren were blindsided by Hibs approach for Paul McGinn.
Former Saints boss Jack Ross has made an approach for the experienced defender in the hope of bringing him to Easter Road before the transfer window slams shut on Friday.
And Goodwin insists St Mirren are doing all they can to persuade the right-back not to follow in his brother John’s footsteps by swapping the Saints for Hibs.
He said: “Hibs caught us on the hop. We weren’t expecting it or advertising Paul as a player who was available.
“It’s come out of the blue as we had no intention of losing anyone.
“I want to try to build a squad and Paul is a part of that. Hibs asked to speak to Paul which they can do as he’s in the final six months of his contract.
“I spoke to Paul and he’s quite willing to hear what Hibs have to offer. But we don’t want to lose him. Sometimes in the window things are sprung on you that you don’t expect.
“We want to hang on to him but it’s difficult to compete with a club of Hibs’ stature.”
