DEMETRIOU IS SURE BUDDIES ARE ON THE UP

GIven stelios Demetriou witnessed fans turning up to training with bats during a spell in bulgaria, it’s hardly surprising the left-back is full of fighting talk. The Cypriot feels right at home playing for st Mirren following spells in four countries at eight different clubs. Demetriou joined the buddies in January as one of manager Jack ross’ ten signings — and it proved to be the start of their memorable great escape from relegation danger. Avoiding the drop to League One was achieved thanks largely to the winning mentality ross brought to a club that was in grave danger of plummeting to scary depths. now Demetriou sees no reason why st Mirren can’t rise in the Championship after they secured their first opening-day victory in 11 years with saturday’s triumph against Falkirk. The 26-year-old cancelled out nathan Austin’s opener for the bairns in the first half to prompt the turnaround. ‘It shows the attitude of the team to come from a goal down and that’s what we’ll see from the team to try to finish as high as possible,’ said Demetriou, who signed a new one-year deal this summer. ‘We showed we’re going to be up there this season. ‘I’m happy to score in front of the crowd. This was the best start we could’ve hoped for. ‘The manager has passed on a winning mentality and that’s what we’re going to keep in the club.’ Demetriou’s equaliser fired up st Mirren — but it all got a little bit too much for assistant boss James Fowler and Falkirk goalkeeping coach Derek Jackson, who were both sent to the stand for a scuffle just before the interval. After Cammy smith and Gavin reilly put saints in control, Demetriou was on the end of an elbow from bairns defender Aaron Muirhead, who was sent off with less than a quarter of the game remaining for leading with his arm as he attempted to win a header. Meanwhile, Morton were held to a goalless draw at Dumbarton after missing a raft of chances and will look for three points when st Mirren visit this saturday.