BY KYLE GUNN

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin has heaped praise on Kyle Magennis after the midfielder took part in Scotland's U21 winning double header.

Magennis played both games as Scot Gemmill’s youngsters comfortably beat San Marino at the Simple Digital Arena last week before coming from a goal down to win in Croatia in their second European Championship qualification group match.

And, despite being used at right-back, in the first of those qualifiers, Goodwin insists the 21-year-old will resume his midfield role against Ross County tomorrow.

READ MORE: Kyle Magennis: 'It's a dream to captain St Mirren'

"Getting that win has been great for his confidence and hopefully gives Scottish football a boost as well," Goodwin told Gazette Sport. "Kyle was buzzing when he came back as you can imagine having played both games. Scot Gemmill rates him highly, as do we and a number of other people out there in the game. He’s a fantastic young prospect. For him to get the recognition he’s getting at the moment – he’s captain here too for now – is always a nice feeling. 

"I had a couple of international call-ups myself as a player and it’s always great when that letter arrives. That’s good for his confidence. He scored against Livingston before he left and hopefully he takes that into the game against Ross County.”

The Gazette: Magennis, left, and Kyle McAllister, right, were both selected as part of Scot Gemmill's U21 squad (Photo: Allan Picken)Magennis, left, and Kyle McAllister, right, were both selected as part of Scot Gemmill's U21 squad (Photo: Allan Picken)

Elsewhere, experienced centre-half Kirk Broadfoot re-joined St Mirren after negotiating the end of his Kilmarnock deal on deadline day.

The 35-year-old could make his second Saints debut in Dingwall tomorrow and Goodwin has revealed that the opportunity to bring in someone of Broadfoot’s calibre was one he could not afford to turn down.

He added: “We had a meeting yesterday with the players to reiterate where we’re at and where the mindset needs to be. And for us to have someone of Kirk’s character and experience given what he’s achieved in the game is brilliant for us as a group. 

"It’s all about competition for places. I need to have a squad of 18 to 20 players who can all push us each to the limit. At the moment I've got boys who can’t get into the team only because the ones in there are doing so well. 

READ MORE: Gary MacKenzie laments St Mirren's charity against Livingston

"I need to know that if something happens I can have no qualms about putting the next guy in. If something happens to my defenders and Kirk goes in then I couldn’t really have a better defender next in the ranks to go in. 

"He's there to put pressure on the boys who are in the team. They need to know they’re not guaranteed a place in the team. We’re maybe light at full-back but everywhere else on the pitch those playing have someone breathing down their neck. That’s the way it is at all the big clubs."

Ross County v St Mirren at the Global Energy Stadium in Dingwall kicks-off tomorrow at 3pm.

Read all the latest from Gazette Sport