St Mirren star Jamie McGrath has scooped the SPFL’s November goal of the month award for his sensational long-range strike against Livingston.
The Ireland international ended his relative goal drought in emphatic fashion against the Lions, netting an incredible opener after spotting keeper Max Stryjek edging off his line.
He displayed all his class and ingenuity to curl a wonderful effort over the retreating goalie, picking up his second Premiership goal of the season in superlative style.
That effort was surprisingly his first since a successful opening day penalty against Dundee, having finished as the Buddies top scorer in 2020/21 with an incredible 17-goal haul in all competitions after a similarly slow start to the campaign.
And while he’s delighted to have picked up the prize, the determined 25-year-old is targeting another prolific second half of the season with St Mirren as he chases topping his previous tally.
Speaking exclusively to Renfrewshire Live Sport, McGrath said: “I’m really delighted to get the award.
“There were some great goals over the course of the month, so it’s a brilliant personal achievement.
“Hopefully I can go and get the next one as well!
“You always set targets for yourself so hopefully I can get a few more this season.
“Connor Ronan has scored a few bangers as well this year, so I might be competing with him for the next few.
“As long as they go in though, I don’t really care to be honest.
“I would definitely trade that goal for my tally last season. I’m not too concerned. but personally I would like to have had a few more by now.
“You want to keep your run going and it’s not for the want of trying.
“We had a lot of penalties last season and we could have had a few more this season already that haven’t been given.
“Compared to this time last year I think I’m around a similar level, so I’ve set myself the challenge of going on a run now and trying to better last season’s tally.
“As a footballer you always want to try and keep getting better.”
Surprisingly McGrath has actually been outscored so far this season by his captain Joe Shaughnessy, with the towering centre back grabbing his fourth of the season against Hibs on Saturday.
McGrath believes it’s a huge boost for the Buddies to have a defender who can make an impact in both boxes, especially when his side are struggling in front of goal collectively.
McGrath added: “I thought Joe’s finish against Hibs was brilliant as well. He showed his quality in the box and he’s up to four now overall.
“He’s got a great knack of popping up in the right place at the right time, especially in the last 10 minutes or so of games.
“Even away to Hibs he did the same. He’s a big threat when he gets in the box and you can see the quality he has taking those chances.
“When I see him making those big strides into the box you know there’s a possibility of a goal because he seems to know where he needs to be every time.”
