Saints’ added incentive to over take the dons
Scott Tanser knows how much a victory over Aberdeen would mean to the St Mirren fans this afternoon.
It would ensure the Buddies finish this season above former boss Jim Goodwin’s new side.
Supporters always like to get one over a player or manager who leaves for a rival side – especially when they depart mid-season.
Finishing in eighth spot while the Dons are left in tenth would also mean an extra £120,000 in prize money heading for Paisley.
Tanser said: “If we get a draw, we finish above them and that would be good. “We want to finish as high up as we can. “It’s not really feasible to end up above Livingston because of their goal difference.
“Eighth is probably the highest we can finish this season, so that’s what we’ll be going for.
“I sense that the fans would enjoy us winning. When things go against Aberdeen, they’re all for it.
“Jim did a good job here but he wanted to move to Aberdeen.
“You always want to end the season with a win.
“It gives you that impetus to come back and start with a win.”
While his former manager has his work cut out to re-structure the squad at Pittodrie, Tanser believes things are already shaping up well at St Mirren.
The 27-year-old left-back has just signed a new two-year contract, and is confident that Stephen Robinson’s managerial style will be a big success.
He said: “As soon as the gaffer came in, he said he wanted to keep me.
“Jim Goodwin had brought me in and when he left it was a case of :‘What’s going on now?’.
“New managers bring in new players, like he’s going to do, and don’t always keep players.
“I know there was a bit of uncertainty among the fans, with it being said some people weren’t getting contracts. I think some thought I was one of them.
“But, no, he said he wanted to keep me. “The new manager’s system is something he’s now getting to work, as people can probably see.
“We’ve had three clean sheets in a row, and defensively we’re more compact.
“As a team, we’re pressing from the front and we’re all buying into what he wants to do.
“He’ll also bring in his own players who will do that.
“We narrowly missed out on the top six after a bad run at the wrong time.
“The previous manager left, and lot of things were up in the air.
“I’ve never been there before with a manager leaving mid-season.
“But I have a great feeling about next season.
“You can see the progression we’ve made, and the aim will be to finish in the top six for the first time.”
Tanser arrived at St Mirren from St Johnstone last summer and is pleased with the way his first year has gone.
He went on: “My contribution to goals being scored has been the best it’s ever been.
“I get a licence to go forward and provide. Overall, I’m very happy.
“It has gone better than I at first thought it would.
“There’s a good structure at the club and the way we play, with wing-backs, works really well.
“I’m very experienced in this league now, and hopefully I can kick on and be even better next season.”