ST MIRREN manager Jim Goodwin has insisted that his side will draw the positives from their second-half display against Celtic, writes Alison McConnell.

The Paisley side scored a late consolation and Goodwin has maintained that they will go into Sunday’s game against Kilmarnock without feeling sorry for themselves.

“We’re not down in the dumps after the result,” said the Irishman. “We’ve been narrowly beaten but there were a lot of positives to take from the second half.

“We asked the players at half time to go and next the next goal. If we had got that in the first 20 minutes of the second half, it would have been game on but unfortunately it came too late for us.

“We had chances before as well. Ryan Flynn had a really good opening from Junior Morias, Jon Obika got through one on one – if we took one of those opportunities it gives you a chance to have a real go at them. But unfortunately it came too late. We’ll dustourselves down and go again against Kilmarnock on Sunday. I knew they wouldn’t throw the towel in. That’s not the character of the group.

“Celtic are capable of beating teams four or five-nil. We know that. Celtic maybe went into a more relaxed mode. But I felt we were a lot better so there are always positives to take.”

Goodwin also accepted that his irritation in the aftermath of Celtic’’s second goal had been misplaced.

“At the time I thought the second goal may have been offside but I’ve watched it back and he’s clearly on so it was a great decision from the official,” he said.

“The goals are obviously what change the game. That’s where we lost it – cheaply in my opinion.

“We were the architects of our own downfall, in terms of the manner of the goals. We had decent possession but gave it away cheaply in the middle of the park on both occasions.”

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