St Mirren skipper Joe Shaughnessy was not surprised to see Aberdeen target Jim Goodwin as he vowed not to let the disruption derail their run of form.
Assistant manager Lee Sharp and goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield took training on the eve of Saturday’s cinch Premiership trip to Livingston after St Mirren gave Goodwin permission to speak to the Dons.
Aberdeen have lined up Goodwin to replace the sacked Stephen Glass after Saints started 2022 by taking 13 points from five Premiership games and reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.
“It’s probably to be expected,” Shaughnessy said.
“When a manager is doing well, there’s obviously going to be interest. I’m not really surprised, he’s done a good job here.
“If it was to happen, it would obviously be disappointing for us, we are on a good run and we have had a good season so far, but it’s bound to happen.
“We are just concentrating on the game, it’s a big one for us to keep the run going. That’s all we have been focusing on this week.”
Goodwin was linked with a move to Pittodrie as soon as news broke of the departure of Glass on Sunday.
“That’s the way football is, there’s always going to be speculation around players and managers,” former Aberdeen defender Shaughnessy said.
“When you do well, you’re not going to be anywhere forever. It’s the way football is.
“The good thing is we have games coming up fast. We can’t affect whether he goes or stays. We just get on with training and focus on the game.
“We have good players here and we know what we have been doing to get these results so it’s a case of more of the same.”
Langfield revealed the vast bulk of the pre-match preparations were done before Goodwin left for talks.
“It’s a disruption, nobody is going to get away from that,” the former Aberdeen goalkeeper said.
“But we have a great squad of players and backroom staff. We will deal with it and go to Livingston and get on with it.
“All of the preparation was done in the early parts of the week and Thursday, and Friday’s training was just a light session. I believe with the boys we have that we will go there in good spirits.”
Langfield revealed Goodwin had kept his thoughts closely guarded during the week.
“It’s been well-spoken about that the manager was a potential target for them but he doesn’t want it to interfere with St Mirren,” he added.
“Friday was a bit different but as professionals we just go about our jobs in the best manner possible.”
