Stephen Robinson pays touching tribute to outgoing St Mirren star Charles Dunne

Stephen Robinson says Charles Dunne is like one of the family as he paid an emotional tribute to the departing St Mirren star.

The pair’s association goes back eight years with the last two-and-a-half seasons together spent at the SMiSA Stadium.

Popular defender Dunne is leaving Paisley this summer in search of regular first-team football after amassing 91 appearances in three years with the Premiership club.

And gaffer Robbo — who signed the 31-year-old when he was the boss at Oldham Athletic then took him north of the border to Motherwell — saluted his favourite for the work he did both on and off the pitch for the Buddies.

“I love Charles to bits and I feel like he is my own son,” he said. “My boys joke and say that I prefer him than them!

“I signed Charles when I was at Oldham. I brought him to Motherwell with me and I recommended him to Jim Goodwin to sign here as well. Coincidentally, I ended up managing him here myself.

“As a player first and foremost, he has been excellent for me at all my clubs. He didn’t get as much game time as he wanted this season which is one of the reasons why Charles wants to seek pastures new.

“But as a boy, a character and a human being, you will go very far to find a more caring boy. The stuff that he did in the community not many people know about.

“He delivered meals every Christmas Day he was here to people who were less fortunate than ourselves. He has time for everybody and deserves every success and all the luck going forward.”

Robinson says his door will always be open for Dunne who looks set to take his time before signing on the dotted line elsewhere.

He added: “He knows I will always be there to speak to him. Hopefully we see him play week in, week out at a good level. He’s at an age now where he wants to play and needs to play.

“Charles is very laid back. His usual phrase when I ask him what’s happening is that he’s just chilling. He’ll wait and see what is out there. He’s open to ideas at home and abroad.”

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