Ryan Strain admits it isn’t the nicest feeling to be on the end of one of Stephen Robinson’s half-time rants.
But the defender believes the Buddies manager’s expert man management skills should have seen him beat Ange Postecoglou to the PFA Scotland manager of the year award.
Robinson was nominated for the coveted gong by his peers having led St Mirren to the top-six for the first time in Premiership history.
The Saints gaffer himself tipped Hoops boss Postecoglou to lift the prize, a prediction that played out on Sunday night at the PFA Scotland awards ceremony on Sunday night.
Defender Strain insists he would have picked Robinson for the incredible impact he’s had on his own game, having made the switch to Paisley from Maccabi Haifa in June last year and gone on to become an ever-present in the team.
The 26-year-old, who has also become a full Australia international under Robinson’s tutelage, told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “Ange is obviously doing an incredible job at Celtic.
“But we were the only team to beat them in the league up until the weekend. That goes to show what kind of a manager Stephen is.
“We set out to beat them and we did it 2-0. That’s just one of his achievements this year.
“Ange is a great manager and so is Stephen. Obviously I’d pick Robbo, because he’s my manager.
“He’s definitely our manager of the year. He’s fantastic. We’re so close to getting European football and for a team like St Mirren to still be in with a shout of that shows how good a job he’s done this year.
“For me personally he’s shown so much trust in me. I’ve had the most minutes of any player this season so I’ve got to thank him for that.
“His man-management is brilliant. I can only go on how he’s been with me personally, but he’s top class.
“He’s given me a lot of freedom on the pitch and talks to me all the time.
“He yells at me quite a lot to be fair! At half-times I tend to get the brunt of it, to be honest.
“I think that’s because he knows that’s how best to get a reaction from me.
“At the time it’s not that nice, but I know it makes me play better - so he knows how to man-manage me.
“I’ve only got good things to say about him and hopefully we can repay him for everything he’s done from now until the end of the season.”
Flying full back Strain picked up his fourth goal of a hugely impressive debut campaign in the stripes on Saturday, netting a superb free-kick to double St Mirren’s lead against Hearts.
The Buddies couldn’t hold on to all three points against the Jambos, with Lawrence Shankland’s late penalty denying the Paisley club the chance to further strengthen their chances of finishing in a European spot.
With three games still to play, starting with a difficult trip to face Postecoglou’s men at Celtic Park this Saturday, Strain is still feeling positive.
The Australia international is determined to take the chance to become a Saints “legend” by bringing European football back to Paisley next season for the first time since 1987.
Strain said: “We’ve spoken about it in the dressing room. Even though we’ve made top-six, now the focus is all about pushing for Europe and the gaffer has been driving that on.
“If we make it into Europe we become legends at this club. That’s the target for us and we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.”
READ MORE:
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
