St Mirren poised to clinch a transfer deal to sign Oxford United star

Smyth – who featured 16 times for Oxford this season – began his career as a midfielder but played in central defence and right-back on occasion last term.

Now, it’s understood the versatile player is preparing to make the switch to St Mirren with sources suggesting there is substance to the reports that emerged from Northern Ireland last week.

St Mirren would offer a platform for Smyth to impress with the club in European competition next season and could see the former Northern Ireland youth internationalist link up with Stephen Robinson and current Northern Ireland assistant coach Diarmuid O’Carroll.

Robinson has made use of his vast knowledge of the Northern Irish scene at St Mirren previously with Conor McMenamin and Caolan Boyd-Munce recent examples of players excelling in Paisley and becoming regular squad players for the national team

Smyth might become the newest member of the black-and-white team, but there have been concerns about how he would fit into the Scotland team.

Regarding Smyth’s ideal role, Rice conceded, “It’s hard to say where his best position is, as he’s never truly had a run of games in one area of the pitch.”

“He was originally signed as a central midfielder, but at the close of the previous campaign, under Liam Manning, he started to play as a No 10, mainly to add some strength and physicality up front.

He has performed admirably in midfield, as the right-sided center half of a back three, and at right back this season.

“It’s probably in the defensive and central third where he’s better suited, and a holding midfield role where he can play a little bit box-to-box is probably where he’ll fit best in his career.”

He was able to play box-to-box or as the most defensive option. Having two midfielders at his disposal will undoubtedly help him grow as well.”

See Also: An Inside Look at Stelios Demetriou’s Amazing 18 Months at St. MirrenRegarding Smyth’s playing ability, Rice clarified, saying, “He has a good enough passing range and is decent with the ball.” He has a terrific engine, is self-assured enough to try longer balls from a distance, and gives it his all. He plays further back because of his strength and determination.

Going ahead, he scored his lone goal spectacularly—a late long-range blast that gave the team a 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic. Playing the game on the right side of a back three, he demonstrated his full potential.

“Star player Cameron Brannagan and other players like Josh McEachran, Marcus McGuane, and Ruben Rodrigues ahead of him in the line for a central midfield position put him in a difficult situation.

“Never once did he appear to be struggling or out of his element. But when it comes to competing in the Championship the next season, the situation is quite different.”The U’s will need players who are prepared from the start, and there might be concerns about his ability to adjust to the Championship if he hasn’t played League One football.