STEVEN THOMPSON has mounted a robust defence of St Mirren skipper Jim Goodwin after the Buddies ace was embroiled in another war of words during the 2-1 defeat at Ross County.

Ross County manager Derek Adams had previously aimed a broadside at Goodwin the last time the two sides met back in November when he questioned why the St Mirren captain had managed to avoid a red card.

And before the first half of Saturday's encounter was out Adams had again descended into meltdown when Goodwin appeared to make contact with an elbow to Filip Kiss' face.

Then late-on, with the game poised at 1-1, Goodwin and Melvin De Leeuw clashed heads, causing Adams and Buddies' boss Danny Lennon to be pulled apart on the touchline.

Referee Willie Collum then sent both gaffers to the stand with the hot-under-the-collar County coach adamant Goodwin was to blame.

Now Thompson has spoken up for his captain and said: "I think for the first incident Jim was protecting his face. While in the second challenge his arms were not up and he has taken a nasty blow to the head as a result. So really he can't win.

"I think Derek Adams has exaggerated things and I certainly don't see anything wrong in going up for a header in a 50/50 challenge.

"The bottom line is Jim has tried to protect himself in the first challenge and then when he didn't in the second he has taken a head-knock.

"I don't see anything rash about that. It is not as if he has tried to nut him."

With Adams' history of singling out Goodwin, and in the wake of his histrionics at the weekend after the Irishman's initial challenge on Kiss, it is possible that the Saints star's failure to protect himself in the second aerial joust with De Leeuw was down to his fears over another outburst from the Dingwall boss.

In any event, with Goodwin forced to leave the field after suffering the head blow and a bout of mild concussion, the St Mirren skipper must now be a doubt for Saturday's must-win home game with Kilmarnock.

And Thompson admits that Saints will have to deal with a Killie attack led by an on-fire Kris Boyd far better than they coped with Kiss and De Leeuw.

The St Mirren top scorer said: "Obviously both Kiss and de Leeuw caused us a lot of problems and they were a constant threat and ultimately they have won the game for County.

"Now we have a Kilmarnock side for whom Kris Boyd is in outstanding form and as a team collectively we are going to need to tighten up.

"It is a huge game for us and it is vital we make the most of home advantage.

"We know that we have not produced the results we would have hoped for at home but if we can get the win on Saturday we will draw level with Kilmarnock. This is a real six-pointer."

Meanwhile, three Saints starlets have been handed call-ups to the Scotland Under-21 squad for the friendly with Hungary next month.

Billy Stark's side will take a temporary break from their ususal base at St Mirren Park when they face the Hungarians at Tannadice on March 5, the same day Gordon Strachan's full squad face Euro 2016 qualification rivals Poland.

Kenny McLean has retained his place in Stark's squad and there are maiden cap calls for midfield partner John McGinn and left-back Sean Kelly following impressive spells in the Buddies first team.

A Saints spokesman said: "All at the club would like to congratulate Sean, John and Kenny on their call-up to the Scotland Under-21 squad."