St Mirren 2-2 Rangers: Jim Goodwin seeks new club

Jim Goodwin and Steven Thompson played their last game for St Mirren

Jim Goodwin has vowed to play on after he and fellow veteran Steven Thompson made their final St Mirren appearances.

Thompson, the 37-year-old former Scotland striker, had already announced that he would be retiring.

He and Goodwin, who has not been offered a new contract, came on as substitutes in the final-day 2-2 draw with champions Rangers.

"My plan is to earn a contract somewhere else," the 34-year-old Irish midfielder told BBC Scotland.

"I feel like I've got another couple of years - particularly at this level. I feel fit. I feel in good shape."

Since joining the Buddies in 2011, Goodwin and Thompson have both captained the side and enjoyed the high of winning the Scottish League Cup in 2013 as well as the low of suffering relegation from the Premiership last season.

"It was great to get on," said Goodwin, who entered the game with 15 minutes remaining with the sides level at 1-1.

"We knew the team a couple of days ago and obviously both us were a little bit disappointed not to be in the starting XI, but we are very grateful to the manager for giving us the little cameo at the end there.

"It was nice that we managed to get on and keep the point because it would have been devastating to have gone on and lost them the game.

"It was a great way to finish because me and the big man have been through thick and thin together for five odd years."

Lewis Morgan's late equaliser earned St Mirren a point against Rangers

Goodwin, who came close to being kicked out of the club in 2014 because of his disciplinary record, quickly found himself on the receiving end of a yellow card.

"The referee opened the book and my number was already in there," he joked.

Goodwin has only featured five times since November following the arrival of Alex Rae as manager.

"I'm obviously devastated to be leaving St Mirren, but I got injured in November there and it came at the wrong time for me in the changeover of managers and I haven't really had the opportunity to show Alex what I'm capable of doing," he said.

"He is perfectly entitled to go and freshen things up. I've been here a long time."

Thompson was grateful for the send off, not only from fans of his hometown club but also those of former club Rangers.

"I had a lot of family and friends in the crowd and it was emotional," he said.

"It was nice to just get on the pitch and say our farewells.

"We've both been here for five years and I think we're both extremely proud of what we have achieved at the club.

"As a supporter, to join the club itself was good enough, but to go on and lift a cup was purely unimaginable and to score the goals I scored was a fairytale."

Thompson revealed that he had received "a couple of small offers" to continue playing.

However, he added: "It is the right time. I had made my mind up, probably last summer, if I didn't play as well as I want to play.

"I will be 38 in October and it is without the right time to bow out and I am just to grateful for all I have achieved in the game."