We put a great shift in for Oran
Magennis is delighted to get new boss off to a flyer
Kyle Magennis insists Saints are all in it together after the Oran Kearney era began in fine fashion.
St Mirren’s 0- 0 draw with league champions Celtic kickedoff the Northern Irishman’s tenure in the Paisley dugout, marking the Buddies’ first point against the Hoops since a 1- 1 draw in March 2013.
And although having only met the new gaffer 24 hours before the game, Magennis reckons the side are all pulling in the right direction under Kearney’s leadership.
He said: “I only came in on Thursday and met the manager but all the boys had all week with him and said he had been brilliant.
“He took me in when I came back to training and he was great.
“I’m delighted to get off to a good start for him.
“I’m looking forward to working with him because he has already been brilliant with me.”
Magennis was in fine form as St Mirren held firm despite a late onslaught from Celtic on Friday night.
St Mirren were criticised from some corners for not being more attacking when their visitors were reduced to 10 men following Olivier Ntcham’s first- half dismissal - however, Magennis says Saints had to be wary despite their numerical advantage.
He said: “We always had the confidence that we could go and win the game but we know how good a team Celtic are so we kept our tactics the same even when they had a man sent off.
“We didn’t want to let them break us down, we just sat in and hoped for a chance to capitalise but it is still a great point.
“I think we actually had better chances in the first half when they had 11 men but that’s just part of the game.
“I thought we played brilliant in the first half but in the second half we were happy with the point.
“We were knackered because we put a great shift in.”
The point marked the end of a fantastic week for the 19-yearold after he also won his first Scotland Under 21 cap for the national side in their win over the Netherlands.
But he insists the draw with Celtic put the cherry on the cake.
He added: “It was an absolutely brilliant week.
“I was delighted to make my debut for Scotland Under 21s, and to beat Holland was obviously brilliant for my first game.
“But to come back and get a point against Celtic at home was amazing.”