Adam: Buddies aren’t for going
ADAM ECKERSLEY insists St Mirren are back where they belong after reclaiming top spot in the Championship. And the former Hearts star is adamant they are there to stay because no one else can live with the Buddies when they’re on form. Jack Ross’s side went top again on Tuesday night when they defeated Livingston 3-1 at the Paisley 2021 Stadium, pulling two points clear of Dundee United. They came from a goal down to sweep aside Livi in a dominant second half and now they’re setting their sights on Dumbarton on Saturday. It’s a far cry from this time last season when Saints had still to win a league match. Eckersley said: “There were a few weeks there
LINDSAY HERRON
where we dropped a few places but we are back where I feel we belong.
“We are a good team and we should be in this position.
“If we continue to keep playing the way we did on Tuesday, we will have a real good chance of beating the majority of teams in this league.”
Eckersley, whose shot was deflected in for Saints’ second goal on Tuesday, reckons last Saturday’s win at Inverness has been the catalyst for their return to form.
The full-back, who won promotion with Hearts under Robbie Neilson in 2015, said: “It seemed to spark a togetherness and a will to never back down. It’s getting to that time of the season where you need to be digging deep and picking up points. That’s what we seem to be doing right now.”
TOP SIX
P W D L F A Pt St Mirren .................... 14 9 2 3 29 18 29 Dundee United .......... 14 8 3 3 18 13 27 Livingston ................. 14 7 4 3 24 18 25 Dunfermline .............. 14 6 5 3 29 15 23 Queen of South ......... 14 6 4 4 23 19 22 Morton ....................... 14 5 5 4 20 15 20 buzzing. There is a sense around the whole town, especially going back to the top of the table. “The club is on the up and a strong St Mirren is a good thing for the Scottish game. “There is a manager and an assistant in James Fowler who are young in their careers and want to go on and do well. “The squad is exactly the same and the blend is good. “The likes of Stephen McGinn is in there, so is Craig Samson. The mix of youth and experience is perfect and I can just see them flourishing.” But Mair has warned there will be no canter to the flag. With United installing Csaba Laszlo as a new boss at the beginning of the month, the Tangerines are also ready to launch their own push. Should both of these teams maintain their pace at the top of the table, Mair believes there will be a magnificent secondhalf to the Championship race full of intrigue and interest.
He said: “United are no mugs and they are going to invest. They can’t afford another season out of the Premiership, so they will spend in January.
“The new manager will want new faces so they can go at it with St Mirren, which will be great for the league.
“Look at last season when Hibs were in the Championship. When Hibs played United, it was a Friday night game and Easter Road was virtually sold out.
“If they met in the Premiership they might be placed mid-table, with the crowd around 6000.
“St Mirren are pushing for a title and so are United, so the fans will turn out and back them if they keep it going.
“There will be big gates and big games. It’ll be a really exciting end to the season if they keep at it.”