Look out, Premiership, the Saints are coming
st mirren 0 livingston 0
St Mirren grabbed the point they required to claim the title and a return to the Premier League.
Delighted manager Jack Ross said: “It’s great to have the job finished and there is a huge amount of pride in the players and real satisfaction as winning the championship is really tough.
“We have got the rewards for what the players have done and we knew this would work as we have a good recipe here as the squad is all good players.
“I was very fortunate yesterday to get a phone call from the greatest manager in the world, Sir Alex Ferguson, and he stressed to remain positive.
“It was a nice surprise for me as Sir Alex is still close with our director Tony Fitzpatrick and it was great for me to have this conversation, as a young manager, and Sir Alex wants the club to do well so no pressure there then!”
Saints began with the same starting 11 that has served them well over the last four games and the confidence that has flowed from this continuity was evident in the early exchanges with the side creating plenty opportunities.
On seven minutes Lewis Morgan accepted a free-kick from Stephen Mcginn and his instant strike smacked the far post from 30 yards.
Then Cammy Smith went on a mazy run and floated a chip on to the roof of the net and Ryan Flynn tried his luck when cutting in from the right flank although his shot flew wide.
Livingston offered some resistance when, following a Morgan foul, Rafa De-vita’s deep free-kick was headed goalwards by Declan Gallagher. Craig Samson in the home goal was equal to it, though.
Saints were quickly on the offensive again when Alan Lithgow had to cut out a Morgan cross with Danny Mullen lurking in a dangerous position.
Saints ended the half with another flowing move resulting in Morgan’s leftflank cross just being missed by the
advancing Cammy Smith and Flynn. Livi then launched another long ball into the danger area which Miller almost capitalised on.
Livi rang the changes for the second period with Nicky Cadden on from the re-start and Jordan Thompson replacing the injured Lee Miller six minutes later. Morgan and Mullen linked up well but could not unlock the stubborn Lions defensive back-line although Mullen did go close with a header and Kyle Magennis had a shot blocked.
The title was finally clinched a minute from the end when, on a rare break-away move, Josh Mullin and Thompson combined well for Livi.
However, St Mirren captain Stephen Mcginn raced back to intervene at the by-line and this interception produced a by-kick for Saints. This meant that the Paisley faithful could begin to celebrate and look forward to top-flight football once again.
Livi gaffer David Hopkins said: “A great point for us and it’s congratulations to everyone connected with the club in reaching the play-offs, especially for a club this size. “And although St Mirren have won the league today, we have matched this with what we have achieved.
“It’s been hard work in recent years but it’s been enjoyable, too. “That’s because we have brought in some good players here and we have had the chance to build something and we have pushed on.
“It’s great that we have managed to push on this far so late in the season and for us to come here today with something still to play for means so much to this club.
“We are in the play-offs now and we want to ensure we finish second and to do that and to finish above both Dundee United and Dunfermline would be fantastic for this club.”