BY KYLE GUNN

On-loan defender Sean McLoughlin has revealed that he is open to extending his St Mirren stay until the end of the season 

The 22-year old, who has been an ever present for Jim Goodwin’s men in the Premiership so far this campaign, initially joined in the summer from Hull City on a short-term deal until January. 

And while the Irishman says that he hasn’t discussed his future yet with his parent club yet, he is open to staying in Paisley. 

He said: “There’s not been a lot of chat about that yet. The loan is until January and I’m just focusing on that and taking it in stages. But, when the time comes, I’m sure we’ll sit down and see what happens. I’ve stayed in touch with Hull and they’re interested in how I’m doing.

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“They get up to a few games too so I’m still in contact with them which is good. But I’m a St Mirren player really, so that’s my main focus for now. 

"The manager at Hull has been texting me or giving me a ring sometimes to ask how I’m doing. Other people at the club like the physios might be in touch, so there’s a constant connection which is good. They’ve not just shipped me out and forgotten about me. At my age I just want to play every week the same as anyone else. I’ll see how I’m doing in January and what my ambitions are for the rest of the season.

”McLoughlin hasn’t actually made his top team debut for the Tigers yet after moving from Cork City in July. 

But he is really enjoying his time in Paisley and has forged a good partnership with experienced centre-half Gary MacKenzie in their short time together in the heart of defence. 

And after just a few training sessions with Kirk Broadfoot, who could make his second St Mirren debut at Ross County tomorrow, McLoughlin knows how much he could learn from the former Rangers and Kilmarnock man. 

He continued: “I think I can learn from a lot from those guys. I’m always trying to learn off everybody, whether it’s the manager or the other players. Gary and Kirk are both really experienced lads. Kirk played with the national team before and with Rangers so it’s a case of learning from them and seeing what I can take from their games to make myself better. 

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“I think playing against Ross County will be different to playing Rangers or Aberdeen, who we’ve already played. We’ll probably get more of the ball and they play a high line so we’ll look to get in behind them, down the wings and get balls in to the box. 

“In the first half against Livingston that’s something I don’t think we did enough of. County will be a difficult and physical battle but we just have to focus on the things we are good at like getting the ball in high areas, putting it into the box and scoring goals. 

"We’ve got some very good quality high up the pitch. In the second-half against Livingston we were all over them and we also did that for large spells of the game against Aberdeen, so we’re definitely capable of posing a threat - we have to do it for 90 minutes and not just 45.”

Ross County v St Mirren kicks-off this afternoon at 3pm.

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