Jack: Fan row started Saints survival fight
JACK ROSS revealed his rammy with a seething St Mirren fan has helped transform the season for his team.
The Buddies boss has been named Ladbrokes Championship Manager of the Month for March after leading his side to three league victories, including wins against Hibs and Dundee United.
Saints could climb off the foot of the table for the first time since Ross succeeded Alex Rae in October with a win at home to Dumbarton tomorrow.
It would cap a stunning turnaround for a campaign that looked to be going nowhere when the former Alloa gaffer had an angry head-to-head with a punter following a 3-0 defeat at home to Queen of the South in January.
Ross said: “It’s my job to be someone with whom fans can engage and criticise too – reasonably.
“It wasn’t done with any preconceived motive.
“The response from the supporters gave me comfort afterwards. I realised there are a heck of a lot of fans who have huge passion for the club and wanted to get out of this position.
“That reassured me and others the passion is there. If that is still there then, if you get it right on the park, we will emerge again.”
Ross has so much faith in his side he has rejected the idea of survival via a play-off because he insists they are good enough to finish at least eighth.
They could even leapfrog Ayr and Raith into that position with a win against Sons, who are fourth from bottom, and Saints also have the advantage of a game in hand against Morton on Tuesday.
Ross added: “Would I take a play-off place right now? No, I would not. We have always set targets and we always believed we’d get out of this.
“It’s about winning games and if we do that we can avoid that position but it also depends on what others do.
“The Manager of the Month award is a reflection of what the players are doing on the park.”