Miguel Freckleton has settled in nicely at St Mirren.
The 22-year-old joined Stephen Robinson’s side from Sheffield United in July, penning a two-year deal with the Buddies.
The defender has impressed in his four appearances at Saints. He was named in the SPFL Team of the Week after our Premier Sports Cup victory over Hearts and scored his first goal in a 1-1 draw against Hibernian before the international break.
His assured performances at the back have quickly endeared him to the Buddies support and he’s enjoying himself at The SMiSA Stadium. That, in part, is due to his teammates who have warmly welcomed Miguel to the club and helped him overcome any initial doubts about moving away from family.
"It’s amazing," the defender told stmirren.com. "The boys have been amazing. I couldn't be happier.
When the move came around, I was a bit iffy because it's so far away from my family. But at the end of the day, I think the boys have helped me so much.
"It’s a credit to them as people as well, and the manager and the staff, and even just Scotland in general. I think it's a nice place so it's been good. It’s going well so far and it's nice to be here."
Showcasing his ability
The young defender has shown his ability in his early sightings at Saints and he admits the opportunity to showcase himself was a big attraction in drawing him to Scotland.
"Coming here as well was another opportunity to showcase my ability because it's a big league and obviously it gets a lot of coverage and attention.
"St Mirren was perfect for me to come and try to show my ability. I'm young still so I want to get that exposure."
Demands
"I think it's good because the demand's high," Miguel continued.
"Especially in training, everyone's demanding. You don't get a break, being a young player or older, no one gets a break. Everyone's demanding off each other.
We've got international players here so the demand's high. I think the training, the intensity, and then the matches, you've just got to replicate what you do in training."
Off the Mark
Miguel opened his St Mirren account when he gave us the lead away to Hibernian in our 1-1 draw prior to the break. But the 21-year-old admits worries over a potential offside meant he didn't initially enjoy the moment as much as he could have.
"It was nice celebrating to the away fans," he said. "Obviously, I didn't celebrate as much as I probably could have. But after I realised it was a goal I went to the manager and then back to celebrate to them [the supporters] because they were amazing.
"It was a good delivery and a striker's finish!" he joked.
"I got my first professional goal last season, so it was nice to get one early because sometimes it comes towards the end of the season and you're like 'oh I ain't got no goal' and in the back of your mind you're thinking 'I need one' so yeah early ones are nice to set the tone."
