BY KYLE GUNN

New St Mirren left-back Calum Waters is out to prove he has what it takes to succeed in the Ladbrokes Premiership after joining the Buddies on a season-long loan deal from Kilmarnock.

The 23-year-old's parent club do have the option to recall him in January, but he has revealed that the pull of Jim Goodwin and a need for first-team football made the decision to join St Mirren a simple one.

“The move has been in the pipeline for quite a while now so I am just buzzing to get it over the line," he told Gazette Sport. "It has been a frustrating couple of seasons for me but I have learned an awful lot.

READ MORE: Saints boss confirms arrival of Kyle McAllister and Calum Waters

"Working under Steve Clarke has been great but now was the right time to go out and get some games and show what I can do. I want to prove that I am more than capable of playing in this league. It is a big season for me and hopefully I can get as many games as I can."

Having worked with Goodwin during their time at Alloa back in 2017, Waters admits that playing under the Irishman once again played a big part in his decision to come to Paisley, adding: “I’m buzzing to be working with him again. The fact I worked with him at Alloa was a massive plus because I know what he is all about. I knew there weren’t going to be any problems there so him coming in was a big factor for me. I really wanted to come as soon as I heard there was a bit of interest from Jim.”

Waters, who goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game against Aberdeen, has been forced to play second fiddle to Greg Taylor at Rugby Park. 

Although the pair are fighting each other for one spot in Angelo Alessio's starting XI, they share a great relationship. And Waters want to use the Scotland international’s career as an example. 

READ MORE: Jim Goodwin 'absolutely delighted' to further bolster squad

He continued: “I knew the situation at Kilmarnock was going to be the same this season. There was a little bit of interest, or maybe it was just paper talk, but I had it in my head that I had to go out this season and play games. I could have waited and nothing might have happened. I have an opportunity here to go out and play games so I need to take it.

“Myself and Greg have a good relationship. Sometimes when you play in the same position as someone you might not be the best of mates, but we get on well and bounce off each other. He has always been very helpful to me and he is delighted that I got my move here. He’s a great example. He’s had two or three very good seasons just playing regularly, that just shows you what could happen.”

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