St Mirren: Jim Goodwin on his 'last chance' at Paisley side

Jim Goodwin was made a player-coach when Tommy Craig took over as St Mirren manager in the summer

Jim Goodwin admits his St Mirren career could be over if he finds himself in trouble with the Scottish FA again.

The Buddies player-coach is now free to return from a ban for elbowing Dundee United's Aidan Connolly, his second such charge in as many years.

"I hope the St Mirren fans give me one last chance and this will be the last chance because I've been well warned it can't happen again," said Goodwin.

"I take full responsibility for my actions, it's unacceptable."

Goodwin was not booked for the incident during the 3-0 win for United in November, but was later punished by the SFA.

And the 32-year-old added: "I apologise to everyone involved in our club and I apologise to young Connolly at United.

"It's something I've had to take on the chin and it's only me that can change it. There's probably one or two people out there who have lost patience with me and I hope the supporters here will give me one more chance to prove I can get that kind of thing out of my game.

"Hopefully I can help the team going forward rather than hinder them.

"It's one of those things, it's heat of the moment, I never go out to deliberately hurt an opponent. I'm a competitive-type player but what I've done off the ball is obviously unacceptable. I've let my emotions get the better of me."

The Paisley men are in Scottish Cup action on Tuesday night, in the replay against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Highlands following Saturday's 1-1 draw.

And Goodwin hopes to get a taste of the action.

"It's a competition that we'd love to go far in. It's a difficult game, they're unbeaten at home this season so far so we're well aware how hard it's going to be," he added.

"But on our day, when everyone's playing the way they can, we feel we're a match for anyone."

Tommy Craig's Buddies have started the season poorly and the manager revealed he should be able to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.

"If we can earmark players in certain positions I'm sure the board will give me the go-ahead to pursue them," he told BBC Scotland.

"A centre half would be the order of the day, another forward who can put the ball in the back of the net would be nice, and who knows, a midfielder. So you're looking at the three departments."