St Mirren FC

[DavidMc]

St Mirren 0-0 Gretna
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 10th May 08
Love Street Stadium

Gretna held their own with some classy defending against St Mirren in a goalless stalemate in Paisley.

Brendan McGill's volley hit the home side's bar early on and that was as close as either side got in the first half at St Mirren Park.

The second period was much better, with Craig Dargo and Andy Dorman lively for St Mirren and both going close.

However, Gretna goalkeeper Greg Fleming and a deep-lying Kyle Naughton kept the home side at bay for a good point.

Relegated Gretna arrived with only pride to play for aafter last week's 6-1 humbling by Inverness.

Brendan McGill had the tiny band of visiting fans on their feet when his 20-yard volley flew past Mark Howard, only for it cannon off the bar.


Franco Miranda should have put St Mirren ahead in the 22nd minute when he raced into the Gretna penalty area, but he got under his shot from seven yards and it flew over the bar.

But Gretna were playing the more attractive football, with the home team enduring some comical lapses in defence and with goalkeeper Mark Howard looking particularly unconvincing.

Gretna again threatened in the 36th minute when Nicky Deverdics found space in the box and his right-foot drive looked goal-bound but for a last-gasp challenge from John Potter.

St Mirren began to pressure Gretna with a series of corners, but a resilient Gretna held firm until the half-time whistle.

Craig Dargo carved out a chance for St Mirren after the break, but Mark Howard saved comfortably.


St Mirren raised their gameas Dargo again forced a save from Howard with his legs.

Then, a couple of minutes later, Andy Dorman rounded the goalkeeper but saw his shot cleared off the line by Naughton.

Suddenly, the game was end-to-end, with first Gretna's McGill having his shot blocked and then St Mirren's McGinn denied superbly by Fleming.

St Mirren were growing increasingly desperate into the final five minutes, but their attacks came to nothing as the game ended scoreless.



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St Mirren: Howard, Barron, Haining, Potter, Miranda, Dorman, Mason, McCay (McGinn 62), Dargo (Kean 84), Mehmet, Hamilton (O'Donnell 62).
Subs Not Used: Smith, Brady, Molloy, McAusland.

Booked: Hamilton.

Gretna: Fleming, Skelton, Meynell, Hall, Murray (Hogg 74), Barr, Naughton, Deverdics, Wilkinson (Griffiths 59), McGill, Osman.
Subs Not Used: Krysiak, Sharples, Taylor, Robinson, Schultz-Eklund.

Booked: Osman.

[DavidMc]

Kilmarnock 2-1 St Mirren
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 17th My 08
Rugby Park Stadium

Paul Di Giacomo came off the bench to give Kilmarnock a last-day victory but could not prevent the Ayrshire side finishing second bottom in the SPL.

Pedro Moutinho put visiting Falkirk ahead with a fine drive from 25 yards.

By that time, Paul Dalglish had already squandered one of several chances that were to fall the veteran striker's way.

Mehdi Taouil's deflected shot pulled Killie level and, after a number of opportunities were passed up, Di Giacomo headed home after the break.

Falkirk had already secured seventh place, while Killie went into the game needing a win to have a chance of avoiding finishing eleventh.

Referee Alan Freeland marked his last game before retiring with a pre-match minute's applause in memory of former Kilmarnock and Celtic manager Tommy Burns.

But the reception was more muted from the home fans for the son of another Celtic legend as the game got underway.

Dalglish was picked out David Fernandez, but the former Norwich striker blasted over from 12 yards with only goalkeeper Robert Olejnik to beat.


And, a minute later, the Bairns made the home side pay for that miss when Moutinho picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, turned and drilled a low shot past flailing goalkeeper Alan Combe.

Fernandez set up Danny Invincibile, but the powerful drive from the forward making his return from illness went just wide of the post.

A Dalglish corner from the left caused panic in the Bairns box, the ball bouncing around before Chris Mitchell cleared off the line.


And the home side eventually drew level after 24 minutes, Jamie Fowler crossing for Taouil, whose deflected shot from the edge of the box fooled Olejnik.

The goalkeeper tried in vain to block the ball with his legs only to see it squirm over the line.

Dalglish again squandered a fine chance, heading weakly off target from eight yards following a wonderful cross from the impressive Fernandez.


Pedro Moutinho put Falkirk ahead at Rugby Park

Olejnik was forced into a decent save from Grant Murray's 16-yard drive.

Falkirk had a chance to steal the lead just before the break when defender Simon Ford had to retrieve his own mistake by blocking a goalbound shot from Bairns wide-man Carl Finnigan.

Kilmarnock were again the more dangerous after the break, Fowler firing wide after a powerful, 40-yard run.

Taouil set up Dalglish, but the striker again fired high and wide.

Invincibile was next to be wasteful, heading over from three yards from a Murray cross.

The Australian was denied by a fine block from Olejnik after being one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

It looked like Falkirk would escape with a point, but Di Giacomo headed in off the post following a Garry Hay cross with 10 minutes remaining.



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Kilmarnock: Combe, Murray, Hay, Lilley, Ford, Invincibile, Dalglish (Di Giacomo 61), Taouil (Johnston 89), Fowler, Fernandez (Cox 88), Hamill.
Subs Not Used: Rascle, Frazer Wright, Gibson, Flannigan.

Goals: Taouil 24, Di Giacomo 81.

Falkirk: Olejnik, Mitchell, Allison, Scobbie, Aafjes, Cregg (Latapy 58), McBride, Riera, Moutinho (Stewert 84), Higdon, Finnigan (Barrett 76).
Subs Not Used: Supple, Bradley, Arfield, Moffat.

Booked: McBride.

Goal: Moutinho 11.

[DavidMc]

Celtic v St Mirren
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 10th August 08
Celtic Park

Shunsuke Nakamura is the only first-team regular missing through injury for Celtic as they prepare to unfurl the championship flag against St Mirren.

The Japan midfielder is out with a groin injury, while Chris Killen and Evander Sno are on Olympic duty.

St Mirren could give a debut to new Spanish signing Antonio Guerae Mayoral.

Fellow midfielders Andy Dorman and Gary mason, plus defender Will Haining and striker Craig Dargo, are all receiving treatment for injuries.

Celtic (from): Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Wilson, Scott Brown, Hartley, Robson, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Samaras, Mark Brown, Donati, Caddis, McGowan, O'Dea, McCourt.

St Mirren (from): tbc

BBC SPORT | Football | Scottish Premier | Celtic v St Mirren (Sun)

[DavidMc]

St Mirren v Kilmarnock
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 16th August 08
Love Street Stadium

St Mirren defender Will Haining is suspended following his red card at Celtic Park on Sunday.

Scott Cuthbert, signed on loan from Celtic, may step in to partner captain John Potter in central defence.

Kilmarnock striker Allan Russell is still not fit enough to make his debut and midfielder Alan Morgan is also out.

Frazer Wright is likely to keep his place in defence after replacing Ryan O'Leary, who damaged his shoulder in the win over Hibs last weekend.



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St Mirren (from): Howard, Barron, Miranda, Potter, McGinn, Hamilton, Murray, O'Donnell, Dorman, Mason, Mehmet, Smith, Wyness, McCay, Docherty, Brighton, Robb, Ross, Tonet.

Kilmarnock(from): Rascle, Harpur, Hay, Fowler, Wright, Skelton, Pascali, O'Leary, Lilley, Ford, Hamill, Murray, Fernandez, Sammon, Taouil, Bryson, Gibson, Flannigan, Simmonds.

[DavidMc]

Inverness CT v St Mirren
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 13th September 08
Caledonia Stadium

Captain Grant Munro is set to return to the Inverness defence after recovering from the knee injury which has caused him to miss the last four matches.

But David Proctor and Russell Duncan are likely to miss out with ankle and hamstring problems respectively.

St Mirren defender David Barron will be an injury absentee for the visitors.

However, Will Haining, Scott Cuthbert, Jim Hamilton and Stephen McGinn have all returned to full training and are in contention for places.



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Inverness: (from) Fraser, Tokely, McBain, Munro, McGuire, Hastings, Black, Cowie, Wood, Barrowman, Duff, Vigurs, Imrie, Rooney, Wilson, Esson, Djebi-Zadi, McAllister.

St Mirren: (from) Howard, Ross, Miranda, Mason, Haining, Cuthbert, Potter, Dorman, Brady, Robb, Wyness, Mehmet, Dargo, O'Donnell, Smith, Murray, McAusland, McGinn.

[DavidMc]

St Mirren v Falkirk
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 20th September 08
Love Street Stadium

St Mirren midfielder Tonet will miss the Scottish Premier League visit by Falkirk with a persistent foot injury.

Defender David Barron is still out with the knee injury that sidelined him from last weekend`s trip to Inverness.

Former Hibernian midfielder Sean Lynch is hoping to make his Falkirk debut after signing on Thursday.

Russell Latapy has recovered from a knock, but Carl Finnigan, Arnau Riera, Dean Holden and Brian Allison all miss out through injury.



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St Mirren: (from) Howard, Ross, Miranda, Mason, Haining, Cuthbert, Potter, Dorman, Brady, Robb, Wyness, Mehmet, Dargo, O`Donnell, Smith, Murray, McAusland, McGinn.

Falkirk: (from) Olejnik, McNamara, Bullen, Barr, Scobbie, Arfield, McBride, O'Brien, Barrett, Higdon, McCann, Flinders, Cregg, Lovell, M Stewart, Latapy, Aafjes, Lynch.

[DavidMc]

St Mirren 1-0 Rangers
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 5th October

A tremendous curling left-foot strike by Stephen McGinn on 77 minutes gave St Mirren a stunning win over Rangers.

The Ibrox side had the bulk of possession but the Buddies defended stoutly as they welcomed Rangers to Love Street for the last time.

As the final whistle approached, Gers sub Kris Boyd's header hit the post and Kirk Broadfoot and Kyle Lafferty both had headers cleared off the line.

But St Mirren held on for their first home league win over Gers since 1986.

Rangers now trail SPL leaders Celtic on goal difference after a largely lethargic display, while the victory lifts St Mirren off the bottom and up to 10th spot in the table.

The Buddies, who will move to a new stadium in January, survived several late scrambles in their penalty area but McGinn's wonderful goal was worthy of winning any match.


Billy Mehmet congratulates Saints scorer Stephen McGinn

St Mirren made a useful start and had Rangers pinned inside their own half, with full-back Jack Ross galloping forward at every opportunity.

For all the early promise, a pattern soon emerged where the hosts contained the visitors by getting numbers behind the ball and Rangers struggled to get behind the Saints defence.

Much to the chagrin of Boyd, Rangers boss Walter Smith left his joint-top scorer on the bench once more, opting for pace in attack.

And a counter-attack after 18 minutes suggested Smith's decision would ask questions of the Saints' defence.


Steven Davis released Jean-Claude Darcheville down the right wing and his explosive speed created the space for a fine cross for Miller but the in-form striker was denied by Scott Cuthbert's timely intervention.

Kevin Thomson was the first to test either of the goalkeepers. The Rangers midfielder pounced on a slack pass by Gary Mason, swept forward and let fly from 25 yards.

Mark Howard's positioning was exemplary, though, and he was able to parry.

Thomson threatened Howard's goal again on 39 minutes. First combining with Mendes, he burst forward, worked a one-two with Miller and clattered a shot which the keeper tipped over.

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra wasted a chance from Charlie Adam's inswinging corner at the beginning of the second half. Unmarked on the six-yard line, he mistimed his jump and headed over. MY SPORT: DEBATE
Join the Saints fans discussing the game

Darcheville was next to have a go, streaking forward from left to centre and shooting ferociously straight at Howard.

The Frenchman's last contribution before the introduction of Boyd was a dash down the right and a cross into the danger area, which Miller poked narrowly wide under pressure from Cuthbert.

Immediately Boyd began to win headers up front, and with 15 minutes to go he bulleted a header at goal, but it was too far out to trouble Howard.

St Mirren took the lead through substitute McGinn, who had only been on the park for five minutes.


Jean-Claude Darcheville is challenged by Saints' Will Haining

Craig Dargo made an intelligent run to pull the retreating Rangers defence out of position and McGinn curled a beautiful shot past the re-instated Allan McGregor from 20 yards.

Rangers piled on the pressure, with Boyd hitting the post, Kyle Lafferty being denied by a goal-line clearance and a cluster of defenders keeping out Broadfoot's looping nod, but St Mirren held their nerve to register a famous win.



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St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson: "That's a vital three points for us. I think we earned our luck in last 15 minutes because we put so much into the game.

"We pressed and pressured good players and eventually that takes its toll.

"In the last period the players were throwing their bodies on the line

"I was delighted with our shape and discipline. The only problems came when we tried to be too cute and gave the ball away in dangerous areas."

Rangers manager Walter Smith: "St Mirren always well organised and worked very hard. We had a lot of the ball in the first hour but didn't create any clear-cut chances.

"Maybe if we'd started a bit brighter there might have been a different reflection on the game.

"Throughout the match, we struggled in that respect and it was only in the latter stages when we applied a lot of forceful pressure that we looked as though we were going to get a goal or two."



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St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Haining, Potter, Cuthbert, Robb, Dorman (McGinn 72), Mason, Brady (Murray 86), Wyness (Dargo 72), Mehmet. Subs Not Used: Smith, Brighton, Hamilton, McAusland.

Booked: McGinn, Brady.

Goal: McGinn 77.

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Papac, Weir, Bougherra, Thomson (Lafferty 58), Mendes, Adam, Davis, Darcheville (Boyd 66), Miller. Subs Not Used: Alexander, Beasley, Dailly, Niguez, Loy.

Booked: Mendes, Lafferty.

Att: 7,520

Ref: W Collum

[DavidMc]

St Mirren 1-3 Celtic
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 22nd November 08

Celtic strengthened their position at the top of the Scottish Premier League with victory over St Mirren.

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc was fortunate to escape a red card for a late tackle on St Mirren striker Craig Dargo in a goal-less first half.

Georgios Samaras' strike opened the scoring in the 64th minute before Shunsuke Nakamura's fine finish.

Substitute Cillian Sheridan slotted home in the 80th minute and Saints' Jim Hamilton headed a late consolation.

The visitors were looking for their 11th straight SPL win while Saints were without a win in their previous five fixtures.

Mark Wilson made a forceful run down the left-hand side in the seventh minute and found Celtic team-mate Scott McDonald on the edge of the box, but the Australian's shot was deflected wide.

At the other end, St Mirren's Dennis Wyness could not get on the end of strike partner Craig Dargo's teasing low cross.

Mark Howard made an important save for the home side when Celtic full-back Hinkel chased Samaras' lobbed pass before releasing a shot.

St Mirren left-back Franco Miranda then struck the woodwork direct from an in-swinging corner before the Celtic defence cleared.

Moments later, Dargo chased Garry Brady's long pass and headed the ball beyond Boruc before being brought down by the Polish goalkeeper outside the box.

However, referee Willie Collum brandished only a yellow card at Boruc, who was making his return to the first-team following minor knee surgery.
Samaras scores his 11th goal of the season to give Celtic the lead

From the resultant free-kick, Hugh Murray's header from Miranda's free-kick was tipped on to the post by Boruc, but the offside flag had already been raised.

Nakamura unlocked the St Mirren defence in the 25th-minute with a lofted pass into the path of Scott Brown, but the Scotland international's lob crept over the crossbar.

Samaras was given the chance to test Howard with a free-kick after McDonald was tripped on the edge of the box by John Potter, but the Greek striker's effort curled beyond the far post.

Loovens was unchallenged as he headed over from Robson's free-kick before Wyness fired over from Will Haining's knock down as the first half ended scoreless.

Celtic captain Stephen McManus made a crucial clearance in the 58th minute when Dargo skilfully evaded Loovens and tried to find Wyness.

The visitors broke the deadlock when Hinkel worked his way deep into the Saints half and centred for Samaras to fire home.

Samaras was also involved in Celtic's second, chipping the ball in to Nakamura, who wrong-footed Miranda before passing into the net with a composed finish.

Sheridan, who had replaced Samaras, got Celtic's third in the 80th minute when McDonald squared into the path of the substitute, who slammed the ball past Howard.

Brown came close with a left-foot shot in the closing stages that went narrowly wide.

St Mirren were given some reward for their efforts when Miranda's high cross was headed past Boruc by substitute Hamilton in the 89th minute.



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St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson:
"I thoroughly enjoyed the game, especially that first hour. We were well in the game, playing some decent stuff, creating opportunities and defending well.

"There was plenty to be pleased about, but the bottom line is that you've got to take your chances when they come along and defend properly as well.

"I thought our front two played really well and caused Celtic problems. Andy Dorman looked back to his old self in the first hour.

"If we play in that manner for the remaining games, we'll be okay. We'll pick up points and we'll win games if we play in that manner."

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan:
"We played better than we did last week against Hamilton and we had to.

"I'm not surprised at how well St Mirren played because they played well in the second half against Rangers last week and we don't expect teams to lie down against us.

"We're fortunate that we've got people that can do something different. We're fortunate that we've got good players than can change games and that's what happened.

"The first goal was a fantastic move and the second goal was just a genius at work."



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St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Haining (McAusland 81), Potter, Miranda, Murray (Mehmet 77), Dorman, Brady, McGinn, Wyness (Hamilton 81), Dargo.
Subs Not Used: Smith, McCay, Burns, Carson.

Booked: Potter, Murray.

Goals: Hamilton 89.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Loovens, McManus, Wilson, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Caldwell (Naylor 82), Robson (Maloney 61), McDonald, Samaras (Sheridan 77).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Hartley, O'Dea, Caddis.

Booked: Boruc.

Goals: Samaras 64, Nakamura 66, Sheridan 80.