Kearney hails yet another Hammill wonder strike
St Mirren boss Oran Kearney joked it was like “deja vu” watching Adam Hammill pinging in another wonder strike.
The Englishman fired Saints in front against Hibs with a stunning drive from inside his own half last night.
The drive replicated his effort against Hearts less than a fortnight ago, with the midfielder developing something of a reputation for finding the back of the net in sublime fashion.
Kearney admits that the former Barnsley man used to cop flak from his teammates for daring to practice those efforts in training.
But he reckons that the dressing room will cut him some slack now he walked the walk in the black and white stripes.
Kearney said: “It is just like deja vu from a couple of weeks ago.
“He just pops up in an area with a wee bit of space, he gets his head up and picks his spot.
“It is exactly the same goal. It is one thing to look up and see the keeper off his line but it is another thing to execute it.
“This one is from further distance as well but it is a quality strike and all credit to him.
“He would attempt them from time to time but he used to get a bit of stick.
“I think now we will let him away with it.”
Last night’s draw was a couponbuster for many, with Hibs heavy favourites to see off the Buddies.
But Kearney conceded he was disappointed to come back down the M8 with only a point in the bag after seeing his side get themselves in front on two occasions, with Efe Ambrose netting an own goal to make it 2- 1 before Ryan Porteous’ leveller.
Kearney added: “Coming here before the game you would have probably said you would have been happy with a draw.
“I think the manner of the display and the fact that we were 2- 1 up with 15 minutes to go is probably a disappointing one, where it would have been nice to hold on to that.”
But the Saints manager insists there are positives to take ahead of Saturday’s tie away to Livingston.
He said: “It gives us something to build on for Saturday.
“I think it was important to put on a good display.”