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LINGFIELD, CARLISLE AND NEWCASTLE RACECARDS: PAGE 17 Curtis defied injury to step up for Saints
Curtis Main insists he had no issues climbing off the treatment table to help lift injury-hit St Mirren up the Premiership standings.
The Buddies striker was a huge doubt for Saturday’s showdown at home to Ross County with a hamstring problem.
But the 30-year-old put himself through a rigorous fitness test hours before kick-off – and declared himself ready to go.
Main went on to play the full 90 minutes plus injury time as Declan Gallagher’s first-half header sealed a 1-0 triumph.
Saints leapfrogged Livingston into fifth spot as they chase a dream top-six finish.
And hitman Main was adamant he could make a difference while alleviating boss Stephen Robinson’s selection headache by reporting for duty.
He said: “I had been very doubtful for this one because I felt something in my hamstring after the Motherwell game on Wednesday night.
“It’s one of those things where it’s a risk to play through it but I came in on Saturday morning to do fitness tests, putting myself through what I’d likely be going through in the game, and I was quite happy with how I was feeling at the end of it.
“That was enough to convince me I could get through it and, 90 minutes later, here we are.
“Our squad’s a bit light at the moment, do you know what I mean? Even if other players had been fit, the way I felt on Saturday morning I was convinced I could still make a contribution, even though I wasn’t 100 per cent.
“I managed to do that and we picked up a massive three points so, all in all, it was a positive day.
“We weren’t sure how it was going to turn out but, thankfully, I was right to play. I’d been a bit concerned on Wednesday night and on Friday but it didn’t hold me back too much.”
Main isn’t getting carried away with Saints’ lofty status as they gear up for a trip to Perth to face rejuvenated St Johnstone.
He added: “It changes every week. The big thing in this league is consistency; if anyone could put a run together they would cement their place in the top six.
“Obviously, that’s something we’re trying to do. There’s no midweek game so we have a free run at preparing for our away game against St Johnstone on Saturday.
“Hopefully, we can get a few bodies back from the treatment room for that one to make the squad a bit stronger.”