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Jim Goodwin hopes St Mirren can expose Celtic's "little fragilities"

The Paisley club have not won at Parkhead since 1990.

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin says he will select an attack-minded team at Celtic to try to take advantage of the hosts' defensive "fragilities".

The Paisley club have not won at Parkhead since 1990 but Goodwin revealed confidence among his squad is high following their 5-1 victory away to Dundee United in midweek.

The Irishman believes Neil Lennon's side look vulnerable at set-plays and wants his players to try to capitalise on that.

Goodwin said: "In my time as a player and then here as a manager I haven't enjoyed great success going to Parkhead. But we're hoping our fortunes will change.

"We're going with an attacking line-up and will have a go. We'll see if we can cause Celtic some problems at the back.

"They've got their little fragilities at the moment and have been conceding far too many goals. It's been well-documented the amount of goals Celtic has conceded from set-plays this season. Hopefully that's an area we can exploit."

Jake Doyle-Hayes returns to the St Mirren squad having missed the last two games through suspension and injury.

And Goodwin is still hopeful his countryman will sign a contract extension beyond the end of the season.

He added: "We're glad to have Jake back in the group and he's desperate to play a part in this game. [The contract situation] has become a bit of a drawn-out process.

"We made an offer eight weeks ago and he's within his rights to test the market and see what is out there. But I think the player is desperate to stay and it's now about putting the right deal on the table that is comfortable for both parties.

"We're not a million miles away and I hope it can get sorted out in the next couple of weeks."

Goodwin confirmed Sam Foley's exit from the club was imminent and was hopeful of adding a defender before the window closes.

He added: "We're working hard on one [deal] in particular. I won't be demanding two or three but if we can get this one I'll be delighted with the squad."

St Mirren have allowed midfielder Nathan Sheron to return to parent club Fleetwood and will be without injured strikers Collin Quaner and Lee Erwin for the trip to Celtic Park.

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St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin pictured on August 9, 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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