Ross relishes change in culture at Paisley 2021
IT was a jubilant mood at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Saturday as St Mirren sealed a 2-0 win over Dunfermline that could go a long way to sealing the Championship title this season.
While the atmosphere against Brechin last week was an anomaly so far this season, fans frustration perhaps showing at not being able to comfortably see off a side who haven’t picked up a win all year in the league, this victory against 10-man Pars left Paisley fans delighted.
It can be easy to forget how far the Buddies have progressed this season – not just on the pitch, but off it as well.
Over 21 months ago chairman Gordon Scott hailed the Saints fans’ takeover of the Championship club in June 2016 as a “new dawn”.
And while that took a while to bear fruit, there is a real sense of togetherness at the club now, and that was epitomised this week when St Mirren players took money out of their own pockets to help provide a group of fans with money towards their displays at games.
The fans have travelled in their numbers this season and it’s something that has not gone unnoticed by the players or coaching staff at the club.
“The atmosphere in this stadium has changed a lot between the past 12 to 18 months and I understand that what we do on the pitch plays a massive part in that,” Ross said.
“But the group that has brought themselves together to create that atmosphere have been terrific and the players really appreciate that.
“It was their idea to give them some money, it is really just a small contribution because these guys put their hands in their pockets for materials and produce what they do.
“It is a small way of showing our gratitude – and the biggest form of gratitude we can show is by winning games.”
It was St Mirren’s fifth win in a row at home on Saturday, keeping clean sheets in all of those games.
After a tight first half, the Pars should have taken the lead, but James Craigen’s effort was unforgiveably smashed into the side-netting.
BUT after Jason Talbot was sent off for a foul on Danny Mullen in the box, with Saints defender Harry Davis firing home the resulting penalty, tension eased inside the stadium.
Liam Smith made sure it was an enjoyable evening for Buddies fans, after his sweetly struck effort from outside the box doubled the advantage.
After not scoring for four years, the Hearts loanee has bagged himself two goals in his last four games.
It has been a season to remember for the right-back, as he is loving every bit of his time at Paisley so far.
He said: “It’s been great playing every week, getting 90 minutes and also the pressure of being top of the league, and having to win is something that is good for me, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
He’ll be looking to carry the good form into the Scotland Under-21s later this month, with Scot Gemmill announcing his squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifier against Andorra.
And while he is contracted to the Jambos until 2019, the rightback admits he may have to look elsewhere to get his football next season.
He added: “I’ll obviously speak to Hearts before the end of the season and see what they’re thinking.
“They have a few options in that position, so I’ll look at it when the summer comes and the league is wrapped up, then I’ll look at my own personal situation.”