John’s got it going on
Jack Ross saluted the impact of sub John Sutton after the big striker sealed the points for Saints on Saturday.
Sutton struck the second with a fine header at Dumbarton.
And Ross was quick to praise him after the Englishman had to settle for a place among the subs.
He said:“John has done terrifically well at the club in different spells and he still has a part to play.
“His game time has been limited and, in the manner that we play, there will be times when we need him and times when we don’t.
“He knows that and we have a good relationship. We speak regularly about it.
“He went on with hunger and he might have scored before he did.
“It was a big goal because it allowed us to see the game out.:
And, with the Buddies sitting top of the league following the first round of fixtures, Ross admitted he was delighted with their efforts.
He added:“It’s been a really good first quarter for us.
“The players and staff set goals at the start of the season and, to be honest, I thought they were ambitious, but they have achieved them, so they deserve a lot of credit.
“To keep churning out results as they have done and win seven out of the first nine games is terrific.” Craig Ritchie
John Sutton has his sights set on a starting spot after firing Saints to victory in Dumbarton.
The experienced striker has had to settle for sitting on the sidelines in recent weeks, but, having clambered off of the bench to head home St Mirren’s second of the afternoon, Sutton revealed he hopes to have caught the eye of the gaffer.
It may have only been his first league goal of the campaign, but he is adamant that he still has a lot to offer a youthful St Mirren side.
The 33- year- old said: “I hope it has given the manager something to think about. But you just have to bide your time, I know that.
“We have a good squad of players here and it doesn’t really matter who is playing or who is scoring, as long as we get the points.
“Everyone at the club wants to be up at the top of the league and aiming for promotion.
“We have done that so far and there is a long way to go, but we just have to keep pushing on.
“It was nice to be able to have that impact.
“I thought Dumbarton looked a real threat, so, coming on at 1-0, the game was on a bit of a knife edge.”
Sutton added: “I just have to keep my head down and keep plugging away.
“I still back my own ability and, if I can be of use as I was on Saturday, then that’s great.”
Sutton’s goal was a trademark header from an Ian McShane corner, storming on to the ball to bullet past Scott Gallacher in the Dumbarton net.
But Sutton refused to take all the credit, ensuring that McShane came in for some praise.
He added: “The delivery makes it, although there is a bit of luck involved.
“You try to lose your man and time your run. It just clicked and worked this time.
“You would like to think that during the season Ian will chip in with a few more assists.”
There were a number of familiar faces in the Dumbarton squad, with Gallacher, Tom Walsh and Kyle Hutton all lining up against St Mirren for the first time since their departures last season.
And Sutton admits he was impressed with Dumbarton side — and his former teammates.
He said: “Some of them were outstanding.
“Scott Gallacher made a number of really good saves to keep them in at times. Tom Walsh caused us some problems and Hutts played well in the middle. We knew the trouble they could cause.
“It’s shame that it didn’t work out for them at St Mirren, but, hopefully, they can go out and pick up points against other sides in the league.”
I hope it has given the manager something to think about. But you just have to bide your time