Jim Goodwin paid tribute to his Buddies for battling back from their League Cup disappointment to put on a five-star show at Tannadice.
St Mirren hit an incredible five past Dundee United to pull themselves firmly into the race for sixth place.
And Goodwin believes his players showed guts to refocus so quickly last night after Sunday’s sickening defeat to Livingston.
Goodwin said: “I praised the boys after the game because after such disappointment on Sunday it would have been very easy to just feel sorry for ourselves.
“I’ve got to give credit to them for giving such a great reaction.
“The first goal is massive and it was a great set play for the opener. I’m over the moon but we’re not getting carried away.
“The scoreline has a great impact on our goal difference as well.
“The defeat on Sunday was a sickener, there’s no getting away from it, but I’m delighted they were able to refocus so quickly and now we focus on the league.”
While there were a number of stand out performances all across the park, Goodwin was quick to hand the man of the match award to Ryan Flynn.
The midfielder shone on his first start since last February, with Goodwin revealing he had to be patient but will now reap the rewards.
The gaffer also revealed skipper Sam Foley will likely be moving on from St Mirren in this transfer window to allow him the chance to earn a contract at another club for next season.
Goodwin said: “Flynn has been incredible.
“He’s waited really patiently for his opportunity. I felt the last four or five games we haven’t played particularly well as a unit and with injuries and suspensions an opportunity arose for him.
“He’s the kind of guy you need in the squad. He’s a real model professional to the youngsters.
“Flynn was man of the match by a country mile last night and topped it off with a fantastic mazy run and assist. He deserves all the plaudits that are going to come his way and I’m delighted for him.
“Sam has struggled to get in the team recently. He was our player of the year last season but this season he probably didn’t start as well as he’d have liked.
“The guys that went in helped us go on a long unbeaten run and I was then very loyal to them.
“Sam’s an experienced player with a wife and kids. He’s got people depending on him to earn a contract somewhere and we’re trying to be fair to him.
“He’s been a great servant to us and we’re in the process of trying to get something sorted for him. Motherwell are interested, as are a couple of other Premiership clubs and a few in England too.
“I’m not going to deny him the opportunity to go and earn a contract somewhere, I don’t think that’s fair.
“I could dig my heels in and keep him here but I won’t.
“I need players here who are fully committed, who want to fight and scrap for a place like Flynn has.
"If players want to move on then so be it.”
