Ryan takes Strain as classy Buddies ease past Hearts
Stephen Robinson gave St Mirren fans more cause to dream big with a thoroughly deserved fourth Premiership win of the campaign.
Robinson sought to temper expectations by insisting his group are grounded and just enjoying the ride.
But his Saints are serious challengers for Europe or maybe even the “best of the rest” title if they can keep a clean enough bill of health.
They are so tough to play against, and have a spirit that many in the division will envy.
The goals are spread around the side and they boast a keeper – Zach Hemming – making crucial saves at pivotal moments. All this could take them a long way.
They deserved to win by a greater margin as three goals were chalked off after Ryan Strain’s seventh-minute strike.
“I believe we should’ve won by more,” Robinson said. “We had chances in the first half, we were dominant and then we had three goals disallowed.
“We definitely deserved to win. Hearts are always going to have spells but we were resilient when they had them.
“The back five were excellent and we got superb saves from Zach. I’m very pleased with the performance the result.
“I love that we’re working hard to win games together, which always gives us a chance.
“We’ve a group of boys who will just continue to try and improve. I’ll let the fans enjoy it but my job is to live in the real world. We’ve started well, that’s all it is.”
Horribly hesitant defending harmed Hearts as Saints assumed the early lead.
Alex Gogic launched a fine switch of play over to Scott Tanser up the left flank. His low delivery into the box should never have been allowed to find Strain lurking at the back post.
But Zander Clark and Frankie Kent thought each other should be dealing with it. The upshot was Strain arriving unmarked to steer home his first goal of the season.
Hearts were limited to Liam Boyce link-play troubling the home defence, but Saints sensed the nervousness at the other end and kept on exposing it. Toyosi Olusanya sped away from Kye Rowles to gather Strain’s ball over the top. The striker was denied by the legs of Clark and Greg Kiltie couldn’t profit on the rebound as Atkinson hoofed off the line.
Kiltie then had the ball in the net as Saints caused chaos at a corner but Walsh penalised a high boot.
Atkinson was stretched off with an ankle injury in a further blow to Hearts.
A goal-line clearance from Kiltie kept Saints ahead and they thought they’d gone further clear when Mikael Mandron netted, only for Nick Walsh to spot another foul.
Hemming’s first great stop denied Cammy Devlin as he produced a fingertip save.
Alex Greive bundled home on 85 minutes, sending the home fans wild – until VAR struck again.
Lawrence Shankland was sent scampering in on goal deep into stoppage time, but Hemming spread himself to block.
Hearts boss Steven Naismith said: “St Mirren scoring so early allows them to pick their moments – when to press and when to counter-attack.
“We gave ourselves an uphill challenge losing that early goal and then we weren’t clinical enough in the final third, which has cost us.
“I don’t think the quality was great. It was a very bitty and low-level game. That doesn’t suit the way we want to play.”