By Kyle Gunn 

New St Mirren signing Lee Hodson says he’s looking forward to getting back to playing football.

The Northern Irish international joined the Paisley club on Monday, completing a season long loan switch from Rangers.

And having only made 17 appearances Hodson, who can play both left and right back, admits he was frustrated with the lack of game time at Ibrox.

Hodson said: “As a footballer you want to play week in week out.

“It has been frustrating but James Tavernier has done well and deserved to be captain and when James is performing as he does then you don’t get a chance.

“Luckily the gaffer here has given me an opportunity and I will try and repay his faith and do as well as I can  for the club.”

The 26 year old says it was important for him to stay in the Scottish Premiership despite offers elsewhere.

He said: “Staying in the Premiership was important. I’m settled in Glasgow so when I heard about St Mirren that interested me as I didn’t have to move house.

“I’m happy to stay in Scotland and St Mirren is a great club to come to and we will give it a go and be competitive and see where it takes us.

“There may have been other options, but that’s in the past. I’m here and looking to give everything for the club.

“It’s a great club to come to - I know Stephen McGinn from Watford and have heard good things about the club from the manager so I couldn’t wait to come and get started.”

Hodson has known about the move for a while and goes straight into the squad for the visit of Livingston on Saturday.

The Gazette:

Alan Stubbs and Lee Hodson 

He continued: “It has been in the pipeline for a couple of weeks and it was about getting it over the line.

“I’m pleased to be at St Mirren and to get back playing football and to try and do as well as I can for the club.”