ST MIRREN new boy Brad Lyon insists he can't wait to get started after signing on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old, who began his career at Coleraine where he worked under Oran Kearney, joined from English Championship side Blackburn Rovers to become the Buddies' fourth signing of the January transfer window - joining Vaclav Hladky, Mihai Popescu and Greg Tansey.

Speaking to stmirren.com, Lyons said: "It’s absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to get started at such a great club.

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"There was always rumours because the manager was at Coleraine. I was buzzing that the club was interested in me because it’s such a great club in a high league.

"I know the way the manager works and he knows the way I play so that relationship was always going to stand us in good stead."

Lyons made just under 100 appearances in his time with Colerain before switching to Blackburn and boss Kearney is delighted to have secured the deal.

He said: "I’m really pleased to have Brad in.

"I absolutely know that the fans will love him and I know what I will get from him in training and on a match day. It’s everything we need for the battle we are in.

"He’s a central midfielder who is versatile in that I could ask him to play in front of the back four and he would do that with great discipline or I could ask him to play ahead of the midfield and link things and get beyond.

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"He will bring a huge amount of good attributes to us, but more than anything a hunger and a desire to be here. He’s so keen to push on and it’s that hunger and desire that is so important."

The Northern Irishman could make his St Mirren debut this weekend as Saints take on Alloa Athletic in the William Hill Scottish Cup.