Of all the things to see St Mirren’s trip to Fir Park last weekend postponed, I didn’t see plumbing being the culprit.
Like so many Buddies, I was hugely looking forward to the Scottish top flight finally getting back into full swing after the World Cup break.
And when temperatures were rising towards the end of last week, I thought our luck was in. But while it was ultimately warm enough to play on Saturday, the freezing weather left some nasty after effects at Motherwell’s home ground.
Nobody wants to see a club’s stadium damaged so badly, particularly one of the top flight’s smaller clubs that will be even more impacted financially.
Nevertheless, it was still a kick in the Christmas crackers to have to wait an entire extra week for the Saints to finally get back into action. Having watched enviously on over the last week, tomorrow the Buddies will finally get to see their team take to the field once again.
And it’s certainly a clash with a whole extra level of interest as former St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin visits with the side he dumped the Paisley club for back in February.
Goodwin always gave his best for the Saints, both as a player and a manager, and that should never be forgotten. But there are understandably plenty of Saints fans who would love nothing more than to see him suffer at the hands of their beloved club on his return back to Paisley.
You certainly can’t read too much into the 4-1 scoreline from the first clash between the sides this season at Pittodrie.
Declan Gallagher’s early dismissal for a harsh handball call, which also led to the home side’s opener from the spot, ultimately skewed the match hugely in Goodwin’s favour.
After several harsh VAR lessons since the video tech was introduced in October, hopefully one of the main lessons that’s been drummed into the Buddies over the World Cup break has been to watch their arm positions when they’re inside the box.
Keeping 11 men on the field will be vital tomorrow for St Mirren to give themselves the best possible chance of picking up maximum points, as well as the upcoming fixtures in a hugely congested period.
It must be said that Stephen Robinson’s side have absolutely nothing to fear facing the third-placed Dons, especially with home advantage firmly on their side.
The Saints have lost just once at home in this Premiership campaign, on the first day of the season against Motherwell.
Even then they were extremely unfortunate not to pick up at least a point in that match, if not all three after dominating the Steelmen throughout.
Since then they’ve beaten Celtic, Hibs, Dundee United, Ross County and Livingston at home, as well as picking up draws against Rangers, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone.
It’s an incredible record and with Keanu Baccus back in the side on the mother of all highs after his World Cup exploits, I fully believe St Mirren go into the clash as favourites.
Of course, that doesn’t always play out. But with Aberdeen having played two energy sapping meetings with the Old Firm in the space of four days, both of which ended in demoralising late defeats, Robinson’s men should be going for the jugular tomorrow and looking to inflict a third straight defeat on their old boss’ team.
After so long without a game to look forward to, a win tomorrow would be the perfect welcome back and another serious statement of intent from St Mirren that they are deadly serious about their top six tilt this season.
The fact it would be an early Christmas present from Goodwin and his new club would make it even sweeter for the Saints.
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