“There’s always a chance,” he said. “It’s not like Celtic are playing free-flowing football or at their best. But what I will say is that they have top-quality players who can hurt you on any day.”
The ongoing transition period for the Paisley club has also been a point of interest. Following the departure of Stephen Robinson and subsequent appointment of Craig McLeish until the end of the season, the managerial changeover has brought a noticeable change in identity and style of play.
“The interesting thing having watched St Mirren since Craig took over is that he’s changed a few things”, stated Adam on Tuesday afternoon previewing the weekend’s Scottish Cup Semi-Finals at Hampden Park.
“You have ideas as a coach and have to find a way. Stephen had huge success with St Mirren, but Craig has got them playing in a different way, looking to build and trying to get people on the ball. When you have good footballers like Mark O’Hara and Alan Campbell, with Mika Mandron at the top end of the pitch, then it’s good.”
Despite Adam’s modest sense of belief, there is an acknowledgement of the task facing his former club, against a side who are no strangers to the big occasion.
He added: “Craig will know this is a different challenge in a semi-final against Celtic, who are always in semi-finals and finals.”
Straying away from the present, Adam also revealed that he had considered the St Mirren job when it became available following Robinson’s departure for Aberdeen, labelling it as “a brilliant job at a brilliant football club.”
Nonetheless, the forty-year-old understands why clubs look to internal appointments while navigating a period of transition.
“Sometimes when clubs have these opportunities, they try and keep it indoors with someone who knows where they’re at. But when jobs like St Mirren come up you have to look at it.”
For now, his focus remains on developing his own skillset while fulfilling the roles of Under 21s Coach and Head of High Potential Players at Premier League side Burnley, though a clear desire to return to the managerial hotseat is clear for all to see.
“Now for me it’s about focusing on where I am in terms of my career and my coaching journey between now and the end of the season.
“What the future holds, I don’t know. I want to get back into management again and get back as a number one. And I look forward to that opportunity in the future. I have a brilliant job where I am at the moment and enjoy what I’m doing. I’m learning and growing.”
Reflecting on his own playing career, he refers to his 2005/06 loan spell with St Mirren as a formative period, particularly winning the Challenge Cup final against Hamilton Academical.
“I always feel that set me on my career. That probably gave me the belief that I was good enough,” he said.
“There were so many great pros around me to learn from, develop and grow. I had a brilliant manager in Gus MacPherson and assistant manager in Andy Millen who allowed me as a young player to develop and become a man, really.
“It was just a brilliant dressing room to be in and that gave me the opportunity to go back to Rangers under Paul le Guen and really kickstart my career. Paul le Guen liked what he saw, with my attitude and the way I came back for pre-season, and then I got the opportunity to start playing for Rangers.”
He also highlighted current St Mirren midfielder Jacob Devaney, who has impressed since joining on loan from Manchester United.
“Leaving Manchester United, he had to pick the right club,” he said. “It would have been easier for him to stay in and around the Manchester area and maybe gone to League One or League Two. But he’s come out his comfort by living away from home in Scotland.”
The Ireland Under 21 international’s ability to compete with the likes of Celtic’s Callum McGregor, as showcased by his performance at Parkhead last weekend, Adam says is “testament to him”.
“Young Jacob has stamped his authority within the group and for a young player to do that shows he’s got real desire and real quality,” he added. “But when you get the chance to showcase your talents on the big stage, like semi-finals against Celtic at Hampden, then you have to take it.”
Charlie Adam was promoting Premier Sports’ live and exclusive coverage of Celtic v St Mirren on Sunday from 1.30pm on Premier Sports 1. Watch Premier Sports via your TV provider on Sky, Virgin TV, STV Player and Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription, and on the Premier Sports’ Player.
