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ST MIRREN new boy Chris Birchall has admitted this weekend’s international clash between Scotland and Lithuania couldn’t have come at a worse time – because he’s desperate to taste some more SPL action.


The 23-year-old midfielder was handed a baptism of fire when he made his debut for the Buddies as a second half substitute in the 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Celtic.

Birchall has already been impressed by the standard of Scottish football and can’t wait to make his first start for Saints.

But he’ll be left kicking his heels this weekend as the European Championships qualifying match at Hampden means there are no SPL games.

Birchall, who played for Trinidad and Tobago at last year’s World Cup Finals in Germany, said: “It’s frustrating that the international fixtures have come along this weekend.

“While a lot of players will enjoy having a break, I haven’t played much first team football since the season started.

“I just want to play for St Mirren again as soon as possible and I’m already looking forward to our next game against Dundee United a week on Sunday.”

Birchall has joined Saints on a loan-deal from English side Coventry City and is convinced football is in good shape north of the border.

He said: “The perception of the game up here that people in England have is all wrong. I think it’s a far better product than many folk down south give it credit for.

“It’s a very entertaining game north of the border and I’m glad to have made the move here.

“I just can’t wait to fight my way into the starting line up and, hopefully, that’ll come soon.”

Birchall has confessed that he found his whirlwind move from the Ricoh Arena to Paisley daunting, but an hour-long chat with Buddies boss Gus MacPherson over the telephone convinced him he was doing the right thing by moving north.