Mikael Mandron would love Scotland chance after securing St Mirren future

Mikael Mandron is targeting further success with St Mirren after agreeing to extend his contract – and would welcome the chance to earn a place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad.

The striker settled his future earlier this week by signing a new one-year deal with the Paisley side, after helping Stephen Robinson’s side reach the top six for the third season in a row.

Mandron has contributed five goals this season, and played a key part in some big performances for the team, with a purple patch that included a goal in St Mirren’s win over Rangers being a personal highlight for the 30-year-old.

He believes he’s played well this season and puts that down to being in the right place and working with good staff and players, which made it a pretty simple decision to sign a new deal.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “I’m glad we could get the deal done because I’ve really enjoyed my time here.

“In the past two years I feel like I’ve played some great football and met some amazing people.

“I really enjoy working with the gaffer and all the staff here and really enjoy life in Glasgow and Scotland.

“So it was easy enough.”

Mandron says he has enjoyed being part of a squad that enjoys working on the training ground and puts everything into their matches and he thinks they can continue what has been a real period of success.

“I think there’s still more to come, more goals to score and more games to win,” he said.

“In my time here we’ve got top six twice now and into Europe so if we could keep that going it would be great.

“I think with the quality we have, the belief and how hard we work, we don’t go into the season thinking anything less than top six and we talk about Europe all throughout the season.

“It is difficult to do, and it took us to the last game to make top six, but it’s definitely on our mind and what we work towards.”

And with his club targets settled, Mandron says he hasn’t given up on international football. The forward was born in France and moved to Sunderland as a youth, playing his football there until two years ago but he qualifies for Scotland through his mother.

Asked if he would like to catch Steve Clarke’s eye and be called up to the international squad, he was enthusiastic.

“I would love to,” Mandron said. “There’s been talk about it every time I score a few goals.

“It would be amazing and great and such an honour. It’s just on me to keep working and keep being consistent.

“Then maybe, potentially, I could get a call-up.”