STEVEN TARGETS TOP SIX
Published 26 Aug 2011 09:30
And the 32-year-old, who was brought up in Houston, showed Danny Lennon's men mean business
by netting a first-half goal against Hibs on Saturday to give them their second SPL win of the campaign.
Thompson believes they have what it takes to clinch a place in the top half of the table and won't settle for anything less.
He said: "The objective is top six and I would not be happy if we didn't reach that.
"The club wants to progress from last season so we will aim to finish as high up the league as we can
but after just a few games I don't see why we shouldn't make the top six.
"I think we have the quality that can get us there and we are playing the right type of football."
After successful spells with Dundee United, Rangers, Cardiff and Burnley, the forward decided to return to Scotland as his daughter was set to begin school.
And despite offers from St Johnstone and Hibs, he admitted there was only one choice for him.
He told Gazette Sport: "St Mirren was the first team I supported. I went to the cup final in 1987 and I had all the posters and memorabilia - the club always had a place in my heart.
"My agent got in touch with the club and the move happened. Although I have just signed - it feels like I have been here for years.
"It is local and it is my boyhood club and even although I have been here just a few months, I feel at home."
Thompson reflected on some of his special career memories.
He added: "I started at Dundee United and it was a great place to learn at and working with the likes of Jim MacLean, Tommy McLean, Alex Smith, Paul Sturrock, Paul Hegerty and Maurice Malpas made it all the more special.
"When Rangers came in for me it was great, it was mind-blowing at the time when from being so young, playing in Houston.
"I was getting changed next to Ronald de Boer and Lorenzo Amoruso. I loved my time there and there is not a box I didn't tick.
"I had a very successful time there.
"Cardiff was brilliant for me and my wife. It is a great city and I have a great affinity with the place, she was pregnant with our first child and both our children were born there.
"Playing in the FA Cup final was also a very special moment for me as not many players get to do that. When Burnley came in for me was amazing.
"What happened was something that I never saw coming. People said if they survive in the Championship it would be a good season so to gain promotion was amazing too.
"Playing in most games, scoring 12 goals and then to start in the play-off final at Wembley was something I will always remember and something I never thought would happen.
"And then playing in the Premiership was something I never thought would happen, so it was great.
"These kind of experiences are some that some players never get so I am very lucky to have them."
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