Sunday Mail (UK)

You cannot be serious

Jack slams fan who cut Saints no slack

- Kenny MacDonald

Furious Jack Ross hit back at a fan who accused St Mirren of not taking basement boys Brechin seriously.

The runaway Championsh­ip leaders failed to bury City after an early Kyle Magennis free-kick led to an own goal from Brechin keeper Pat O’Neil.

Ian McShane missed a penalty that would have put them on easy street and the Buddies were almost made to pay when Brechin hit the woodwork in the second half.

One punter’s frustratio­n simmered over as Saints failed to capitalise on their superiorit­y – and just before the hour mark he had a pop at Ross.

The fan yelled, “Jack! Take it seriously!” Ross turned and looked angrily at the critic in the crowd before shaking his head while assistant James Fowler also scowled at him. Ross said: “I don’t mind people saying rubbish but that was not on. “However, it’s part of football.” Saints took the lead in 15 minutes when Magennis f ired in a 25-yard free-kick which hit the underside of the bar and bounced in off O’Neil.

But the goalie then made a series of fine saves, including the penalty stop in 20 minutes when he dived to his right to keep out McShane’s effort. It came after Harry Davis had been brought down by Kostadin Gadzhalov, who earned a booking for his troubles.

O’Neil also had the crossbar to thank for keeping out Cammy Smith’s fierce, rising shot on the run in 47 minutes.

However, City came within inches of levelling when Liam Watt’s 25-yard effort in 53 minutes smacked off the inside of the post and zipped to safety.

Ross said: “If we’d scored the penalty then it’s a long afternoon for them. “We dominated the game, hit the bar and had numerous chances.

“But give credit to Brechin because they hung in there.”

City player-manager Darren Dods said: “Liam was very unlucky with his shot off the post.

“St Mirren felt the pressure.”

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 ??  ?? PURE MAG-IC St Mirren’s Kyle Magennis celebrates his side’s winner
PURE MAG-IC St Mirren’s Kyle Magennis celebrates his side’s winner

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