ST MIRREN captain Jim Goodwin has admitted that he will look to curb his natural passion for the game as he seeks to spend more time on the pitch than in the stand.

Saints boss Danny Lennon revealed last week that he has spoken with Goodwin to urge him to keep his composure and it is advice that the Irishman has taken on board.

Goodwin's disciplinary record has been a troublesome one and the player knows that it's time to concentrate on toeing the line.

"It's terrible being suspended," he said. "I don't enjoy sitting in the stand and watching the rest of the guys play so I know it is something that I need to think about.

"I am in the thick of things and always involved in the action, that's just my position. I need to be in there breaking things up but I do think that I need to keep myself in check a bit more.

"I'm in the team for tomorrow's game against Celtic but I've another suspension coming up and I can appreciate where the manager is coming from; I'm no use to anyone sitting in the stand."

St Mirren are off to Celtic Park tomorrow and Goodwin knows that there will be a few battles all over the pitch.

The Parkhead side cuffed St Mirren 5-0 the last time the teams met and Goodwin, who started his professional career on a youth contract with Celtic, is keen to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

"I think if Celtic are on their game they are very difficult and there are few teams in the league who will live them.

"Getting beat 5-0 off a team is never good and it leaves you smarting for days afterwards. "As professionals, it is a scoreline that is deeply embarrassing. We know that we need to try and deny Celtic time and space on the ball tomorrow and we'll need to capitalise on anything that comes our way.

"I have never taken so much as a point off Celtic in my career and I always think that I have to break that hoodoo some time."

Celtic have been better on the road in their SPL this season. There have been stuttering games at Celtic Park with both St Johnstone and Inverness Caledonian Thistle enjoying victories that few would have seen coming.

And that in itself has offered some encouragement to others.

"I think it's fair to say that we have taken heart from those results, as I'm sure other teams have too.

"I don't think you can quibble with what Celtic have done. Their performances in the Champions League have been phenomenal and to get through to the last 16 is nothing short of sensational.

"It can be tough to do it on all fronts, although with Europe out the way for a few months you'd fancy them to really get their head down and try to motor their way forward in the SPL.

"It's up to us tomorrow to make it as difficult as possible for them.

"We know that we need to try and pick up points and keep moving away from the wrong end of the table. If we can take anything tomorrow it's a bonus."