STEVEN THOMPSON has been injected with a fresh dose of Paisley pride after being appointed St Mirren's new club captain.

The Buddies' goalscoring talisman has been handed the armband at his boyhood heroes after Jim Goodwin's elevation to player-coach as part of the new managerial regime headed by Tommy Craig and also including Gary Teale in a player-coach capacity.

While the 35-year-old was regularly pressed into skipper service during Goody's absences last season, he admits that being confirmed as the on-field leader of his hometown club has made him hugely proud.

Thompson said: "I am very proud and very honoured to be made captain of St Mirren Football Club.

"St Mirren is my hometown team and it was always a dream of mine to play for them and finish my career with the club.

"Now to be given the opportunity to captain the club is just a tremendous responsibility for me.

"I have skippered the side when Jim has been out but it is different when you are officially made captain and I am really looking forward to running out that tunnel and leading the boys out every week.

"I have always tried to offer the younger lads in the dressing room as much help, advice and encouragement as I can, and that will not change any.

"But clearly I am very grateful to Tommy Craig for giving me this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it.

"I am as hungry now as I have ever been for the game and with all the experience I have under my belt I feel like I have plenty to give in the new role."

While he is looking forward to a family holiday, Thompson is already looking forward to a new campaign in which he believes Saints can finally nail down the top six Premiership place that had proved so elusive under Danny Lennon.

He said: "We have the basis of a side who should be in the top six and next season we need to make sure we finally make that happen."

Thompson went on: "I was sad for Danny that he did not get offered a new deal and the chance to continue his work at the club but, at the same time, Tommy is the new gaffer and with Jim Goodwin and Gary Teale in tandem, I am sure they will do a great job.

"I took time out to phone Danny and wish him all the best. Obviously he brought me to the club and made the dream of playing for my hometown side a reality and I will be eternally grateful to him for that."