Charles Dunne says Stephen Robinson is the model manager as he opened up on the impact the St Mirren boss has had at the club.
The 30-year-old defender lifted the lid on what it is like to work under Robinson, who has led Saints to fifth place in the Premiership table. A top-six finish is well within reach while supporters are dreaming of potential European football next season.
Robinson celebrated a year in charge at St Mirren last week and has brought relative success to Paisley this season on a tight budget.
Celtic are the visitors to the SMiSA Stadium this Sunday – with Robinson and his troops the only group to get the better of the Bhoys domestically so far this term.
Londoner Dunne believes Robinson is excelling both on and off the pitch as he reflected on his reign.
“He has everything you want in a manager,” he said. "He is so well organised so on the park all of the boys know what our jobs are and what we need to do to help the team.
“Off the pitch, his man management is superb and he cares about the players. I wouldn’t say he is a father figure but he is like a really good mate and he understands that players have problems off the park.
“Some managers you can’t really speak to about things away from the game or approach them but you can with the gaffer and he listens and understands.
“I have family down in London so if something happens and I ask for a day off to sort something out he tries to help any way he can.
“He has family away from here as well so he gets it that sometimes things happen that you need to deal with.
“It is little things like, and it seems like nothing but it goes a long way and you remember stuff like that.
“It makes you want to go the extra mile for him and on a Saturday you are determined to repay him. Not many managers would do that for you so that is all credit to him.”
Dunne also reckons Robinson has become more considered during games even if he still does kick every ball. He continued: “The gaffer is a lot calmer now than he used to be.
“He used to be crazy on the side of the park. He still is now and again but he has certainly calmed down a bit.
“I said to him I like him during the week but he is the most hated man on a Saturday – but he was laughing!”
Dunne sees no reason why the Buddies cannot follow in the footsteps of the likes of Motherwell who overcame spending deficits to reach cup finals and play in Europe.
“You see what he did at Motherwell when he was there in getting to Cup finals and securing European football and hopefully he can do that here,” Dunne remarked.
“That is the next step for the club I think and hopefully we can do it. We have to keep going the way we are, getting positive results, that’s the main objective.”
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