JIM GOODWIN has paid an emotional tribute to the St Mirren support for helping him come through the toughest season of his career.

The Saints skipper has found himself singled out for verbal brickbats by opposition managers and has taken stick for his wholehearted approach.

At times this term Goody has found opposition players going to ground when he strays remotely on their radar, yet all too often the Buddies captain admits rash ­challenges have seen him being sidelined for disciplinary reasons.

But as he looked forward at today's 12.15pm visit of Hearts in the Paisley club's final fixture of this maiden SPFL Premiership season, Goodwin admitted the Saints support have been his rock.

He said: "It may sound a bit cringey but their backing has been a great help to me over the piece of probably the most difficult season in my professional career.

"It isn't nice when you are singled out for verbals from opposition managers and although, maybe, I deserved some of it, it hasn't made any of that any easier.

"But all along, the St Mirren support have stuck with me and I can't tell them how much I appreciate that.

"Last week against Ross County it was just a fantastic feeling to have them shouting my name, it meant the world to me. So it is only right that I make them aware of how appreciative I am of all that support."

While Saints' hopes of a best- ever top-flight finish in the modern era were hit by the single-goal midweek loss at Kilmarnock, Goodwin remains upbeat his side can take all three points against relegated Hearts for the second time this term and end on a high.

He said: "It is vital that we send the fans away with a smile on their faces and repay them for all their loyalty over a long and hard season.

"No-one is more determined than me to repay that debt of gratitude."