CONNOR SHIELDS says a heart-to-heart with Jim Goodwin convinced him to commit to another six months with Alloa.

The Sunderland loanee put pen to paper on an extension to his loan with the Wasps at the end of last week.

And while he has struggled for game during the first half of the season – starting only six times – the 21-year-old revealed a chat with boss Goodwin persuaded him to refuse other offers and remain in Clackmannanshire.

Shields told Advertiser Sport: "For the first half of the season, I didn't really play much and had to be patient and bide my time.

"I had a few options and spoke to Jim.

"I really liked working with him and he told me that he would love to have me back.

"So it was a situation where I was delighted to come back and more than happy to stay here for the rest of the season."

Shields came to light last season during a goal laden spell with Albion Rovers.

He scored seven goals during his opening ten games in their ultimately doomed campaign, including a goal in the side's 5-2 win in Clackmannanshire.

That sealed the Coatbridge boy a move to Sunderland where he went on to link up with former Alloa boss Jack Ross.

Ross, who managed the Wasps for just under a year, was instrumental in Shields' move to the club and was full of praise for current boss Goodwin.

Shields continued: "Jim is such a brilliant gaffer.

"I spoke to Jack who knows him really well. Jim is really good at working with a lot of the young boys who have come in.

"He understands that young players need coached and he's brilliant at that from my point of view.

"Jack wants me to get first team experience and felt the academy wouldn't really benefit me. He felt this would be a great place for me to learn my trade.

"Hopefully, I can kick on and progress from here."

Like all young players at the club, Shields admits he has has been struck by the spirit of the Alloa dressing room.

Having come back in five of their last six matches to claim points – including in Saturday's 2-1 win over Morton – they have built a reputation for their never say die attitude.

The winger continued: "Everybody has that belief that we can always come back and get something out of games when we are behind.

"When you go behind, a lot of teams maybe just sulk and can't get themselves into the game.

"But, we've got a great mentality to come back from losing positions to win the game."

So, with another six months under Goodwin's tutelage secured, Shields insists he is keen to go from strength-to-strength in the second half of the season.

He added: "I want to get more games under my belt in the second half of the season.

"If I keep playing well and can keep my place in the team, then I know we can push on.

"I have no doubt we can push on and get the playoffs as we've been playing brilliantly the last few weeks."