St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson insists club captain Joe Shaughnessy’s attitude this season has been “exemplary” in difficult circumstances.
The Buddies skipper has spent long spells on the sidelines, with the likes of Declan Gallagher, Marcus Fraser and Charles Dunne all preferred at centre back for extended periods. That has also meant surrendering his armband to vice captain Mark O’Hara on several occasions.
Far from downing tools, the experienced defender has kept his standards high in training and slowly worked his way back into the team.
The 30-year-old started St Mirren’s last four games before the split, including two crucial wins against Livingston and Hearts as the Paisley club sealed a historic top-six finish for the first time in almost four decades.
Robinson believes Shaughnessy has proven himself as a brilliant leader throughout the campaign, both on the pitch and at the club’s Ralston training ground.
He told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “Joe has done brilliantly for me and his attitude in the last few weeks and since I came in the door has been spot on. He’s a top captain.
“He’s a great, great boy and has been very good for St Mirren and for me.
“I’ve had plenty who’ve thrown their toys out the pram over the years. People who think they’ve got a divine right to be in the team, but that’s not the case with Joe or anybody at this football club.
“He’s been exemplary. He’s been brilliant every day, happy around the place and leads by example every day on and off the pitch, along with Mark O’Hara.
“There’s a little bit of a myth that I don’t get on with Joe because he wasn’t playing at times.
“But I get on great with him and he knows how highly I rate him.”
Along with fellow first team stars Dunne and Curtis Main, Shaughnessy’s future remains uncertain with his contract set to expire this summer.
Having joined the Buddies back in July 2020, Robinson is keen to speak to the Irishman about extending his deal this week.
However, in the same vein as youngsters Jay Henderson and Lewis Jamieson, he refuses to offer any guarantees about the amount of game time he could expect next season.
Robinson explained: “Joe is someone I have to sit down and speak with. I’m keen to do that while we’re on this little break.
“I’ve got boys who are contracted next season already, so our budget only goes so far and we have to look and see where we are with that.
“Until now we’ve been concentrating on the top-six without distractions, rather than arging over £20 here or £50 here - and that’s the levels we’re working at!
“Joe knows where he stands with me.Listen, everyone wants regular first team football but I can’t guarantee anyone that. That includes Curtis Main and Declan Gallagher, who have played a lot of games.
“We are trying to put a really competitive squad together and we have to accept that might mean not playing week in, week out.
“Joe just needs to show that he’s ready when he’s asked and he has been fantastic for me in the last three or four weeks in particular.”
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