Stephen Robinson predicts student of the game Ryan Flynn will make an excellent coach for aspiring young players in the very near future.
But he’s adamant the St Mirren midfielder still has a big part to play himself on the pitch as the club take aim at an historic top-six finish.
Fans’ favourite Flynn has already started out on his coaching career – working with the Paisley club’s Under-16s and Under-18s this season under the tutelage of academy director Allan McManus.
Experienced Buddies manager Robinson feels Flynn has the work ethic and enthusiasm required to bring the best out of youngsters hoping to follow in his footsteps into the professional ranks.
But he believes the 34-year-old former Sheffield United man can still play a key role on the park as the Buddies look to end this Premiership season in style.
Robinson told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “I’d love to keep Flynn at the club on the coaching side of things.
“We’ve started him off with the academy. He works with the 16s and 18s alongside Allan McManus and Andy Webster.
“Going forward that’s something I want to explore and see where we can take it, because they don’t come around too often – people like Ryan with his experience and his quality.
“He’s still a very good footballer. Flynn can play in absolutely any position. I think I could play him in goal and get away with it because he just understands the game so well.
“He’s still got a part to play for us here, whether that’s from the bench or just his encouragement and experience in the dressing room. If I need him to speak to boys, he does that. He’s very much part of what we want to do here.
“I think he’ll be an excellent coach. I think he takes things on board and he’s very studious.
“He notices the difference between me now to when I had him at Oldham. I ask questions of him now.
“I’ve advised him to stay as a coach and not become a manager. That’s what I say to everybody!
“If he continues to keep learning and absorbing things from everyone then he’s got a real chance of being a very good coach.
“I want him to be part of our staff and our playing staff going forward.”
While finding minutes hard to come by this season, Flynn has made 11 appearances since the turn of the year as opportunities have become more regular.
He stepped in to produce a commanding 90-minute performance in St Mirren’s 1-0 win against Ross County last month when the club were struggling with injuries, while also playing the majority of a tough 1-1 draw with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Robinson backed Flynn to keep producing when his Buddies need him – revealing he is a key figure off the park for the Paisley side’s budding young talents.
Robinson said: “He knows that minutes will be limited now at the stage he’s at in his career. But he won’t let anyone down. If anything, he excels.
“His fitness levels are a credit to him and that sets an example to young players. If I’m here as a youngster, I’m thinking I want to be like Ryan Flynn.
“I had a problem when I first came in here that the youngsters were attaching themselves to the wrong people.
“Young players need to attach themselves to someone like Flynn, who is a model professional.
“He trains every day at such a great intensity and you know he’ll take that into the games.”
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