Earlier today goalkeeper Paul Gallacher became manager Gus MacPherson's latest summer recruit as he put pen to paper on a two year deal.

The former Dundee United and Dunfermline keeper claimed that the Saints gaffer played a big part in him coming to his boyhood local team and now he has he couldn't be happier.

He said, "Manager Gus MacPherson showed a lot of desire to bring me here to St Mirren so it made me feel wanted which is a great thing for any player.

"I signed the papers today and now I'll prepare for pre-season training which starts next Monday so I'm looking forward to it. It is a great feeling to be involved in SPL football again.

"I'm a local boy as I went to school here in Paisley so I obviously know a lot about St Mirren by living in the area, it is a great club to be a part of. I've seen round the new stadium and it is absolutely fantastic.

"There is also a lot of affiliation in my wife's family as a lot of them are St Mirren supporters as well. It is my local club and I'm really delighted to be here."

Despite Saints sailing close to the relegation wind last season Paul had no hesitation in coming to St Mirren and he believes that the Club can learn and build on last season's efforts.

He explained, "I know last season St Mirren were fighting relegation for a wee while so next season is hopefully where we can consolidate or hopefully make a push towards the top six.

"This club is steeped in history and it would be great to be a part of that if we can build on last season and even get a good cup run. But if we could gain stability and get a top six place then it would be a great achievement."

At 29-years-old Paul brings a lot of experience to the Club and he reckons that he has more than a few good years still ahead of him in football.

He said, "I started really young and I have had a pretty fortunate career with some great clubs and that has been added to by coming to St Mirren.

"I'll be looking to enjoy my time here and play in as many games as possible so while I'll be 30 in August, I still feel young enough and hopefully my age shows that I bring in experience rather than getting slower. I'm really looking forward to being here."

If Paul was glad to have inked a deal with St Mirren today the same has to be said for Gus MacPherson who believes he has brought in a top class player to the Club.

He said, "I'm absolutely delighted to bring Paul here to St Mirren. I think it was pretty obvious that we were looking for a goalkeeper so I'm delighted that the deal with Paul has been concluded.

"Paul has played at the highest level and been involved in the international scene with Scotland, he will bring great competition to a very important area of the team.

"He is still a very good age for a goalkeeper and is ambitious and hungry to get back to the high levels he has already played at."

There were several newspaper reports today stating that Blackburn Rovers youngster Bryan Hodge was coming for a trial period with Saints, Gus confirmed this would be the case.

He said, "Bryan is a Scottish lad who is a left sided midfielder.

"He has been down in England with Blackburn Rovers for a wee while but we will bring him in for the first couple of weeks of the pre-season and then we'll see where we will go from there."

© The St Mirren Football Club Official Website

You are respectfully reminded that this news report and/or interview, as with all content on this website, is subject to copyright and as such the St Mirren Football Club Official Website MUST be acknowledged as the original source.