STUBBS IN A SLUMP
McGinn tears into team-mates after Livi loss
IT was an observation from St Mirren captain Stephen McGinn that, when given closer examination, proves quite startling.
“I think the problem this window is that we have signed a lot of players who have not played a lot of football,” said McGinn after the defeat at home to Livingston on Saturday in which St Mirren were so powderpuff even opposite number Craig Halkett was surprised at how comfortable their victory was.
Only five players, including McGinn, in St Mirren’s starting line-up were part of the squad that former manager Jack Ross, now guiding Sunderland’s revival, led to Ladbrokes Championship glory last season.
Of the other six, Cole Kpekawa, 22, whom Barnsley once gave Queen’s Park Rangers a reported £450,000 for, has never reached double digits in league appearances in a season since his debut in 2014, in a career also taking in spells at Portsmouth, Leyton Orient and Colchester United.
Kpekawa was responsible for Livingston’s second goal in the 36th minute, slicing a clearance behind for a corner that Alan Lithgow headed in from Steven Lawless’s kick. The defender was subbed just five minutes into the second half by the man who brought him in, St Mirren manager Alan Stubbs, as he “wasn’t winning enough balls”.
Hayden Coulson, on loan from Middlesbrough, had never played a first-team match prior to his arrival at St Mirren, same as Alfie Jones from Southampton.
Debutant Lee Hodson, on loan from Rangers, made less than 25 appearances in the past two seasons at Ibrox, and, granted while Nicolai Brock-Madsen – also substituted in the second-half – played during loan spells at PEC Zwolle and Cracovia, he’s only managed six games for parent club Birmingham City since 2015.
And Matty Willock, on loan from Manchester United and who at least played for St Johnstone last season, was subbed after 64 minutes.
Livingston’s opener, the first of Gary Holt’s tenure, came in the 14th minute and also as a result of a corner; St Mirren failing to clear the initial delivery and Lithgow eventually crossing low for Jack Hamilton to score via the underside of the bar.
McGinn admitted St Mirren were “soft” and added: “I always say to the boys who’ve played in England, this is a really tough league. It doesn’t get a lot of respect from down the road, but you have to realise quickly how tough it is.
“It’s a totally different team. Livingston are pretty much the same, we have a new manager and new players. We have to learn next time we play them to stand up and match their power and aggression.
“It’s not nice, everyone is hurting, there were words said. When you lose as softly as we did – there wasn’t a shot on target from us – it’s not great.”
Saints won their first Ladbrokes Premiership game of the season against Dundee but have since suffered a league defeat to Rangers and a heavy Betfred Cup loss at Aberdeen.
Next up is a trip to Hearts followed by a visit from Celtic but midfielder McGinn insisted: “It’s not at that crisis stage yet hopefully.”