Teale believes Goodwin is in line for a statue
Con or McCarthy’ s stoppage-time winner for St Mirren against Rangers in midweek didn’t just take St Mirren into the semifinals of the Betfred Cup.
It was also the first time that they had eliminated the Glasgow giants from a competition since a solitary goal by Jamie Thomson beat them in the last four of the Scottish Cup in 1926.
It was a remarkable triumph for manager, Jim Goodwin.
And former Scotland cap, Gary Teale, who played alongside Goodwin in Saints’ 2013 League Cup Final win over Hearts, argues that if the Irishman can repeat that success this season, he’d deserve to have his own statue at the Simple Digital Arena.
“Saints won three trophies in the first 122 years of their history. But if they were to add to that this season, that would be their second in eight years,” said Teale.
“Jim was the captain when we beat Hearts, and this time he’d be the manager. That’s something that’s never happened before at St Mirren.
“Clubs only build statues to people who’ve made a major contribution to them and, if Jim was to get them to the Final and win it, there would need to be some kind of discussion about that.
“Then again, where would they put it? After all, the ground’s in a part of Paisley where a statue wouldn’t last long!
“So they might name a stand after him instead! Jim would certainly deserve that because he’d be a legend at the club.
“Nothing beats playing the game, and it was a special feeling when we won it together.
“But I think Jim would take more satisfaction if he won it as a manager.
“When you look at the manager’s input into signings, selection and tactics, there’s much more involvement than you have as a player.”
Teale moved to Florida last month to launch his own soccer academy in Orlando, while also promoting his Hexagol device, an enclosed soft- play training aid for footballers of all ages.
He emigrated never believing that Saints would win silverware at the National Stadium again.
“I’m not getting ahead of myself because I know they still have to beat Livingston in the semis,” said Teale.
“But what a chance they have this season.
“Obviously, the result was a kick in the teeth for Rangers, who are still waiting for that elusive first trophy under Steven Gerrard. But it was brilliant for Jim and his players.
“I’d love them to go on to win it, and to have the fans inside Hampden to see it and give the team the reception it deserves, just like we enjoyed in 2013.
“Apart from anything else, if that happened, it would mean that life was back to normal – and the pubs would be open!”