Day on the batter brought us closer
Tanser says Celtic tanning got Saints to focus on job in hand
SCOTT TANSER believes a nightmare ordeal at Celtic Park has helped turn St Mirren into the real deal.
The Buddies left-back was part of the 10-man team mercilessly ripped apart by Ange Postecoglou’s side back in August.
The 6-0 rout, with David Turnbull netting a hat-trick, came after Alan Power’s 19th-minute red card.
But Saints steadied the ship with three hard-fought draws and their worrying start has given way to increasingly consistent form.
This victory made it three wins in a row, six games unbeaten and 12 points from the last possible 18.
Tanser was pivotal with two assists and the crucial third goal.
The 26-year-old said: “The Celtic defeat probably had a positive effect in the sense it showed that teams will tear you apart if you give them too much time and space.
“We went to a back four in that game when we had a man sent off.
“It wasn’t a pleasant experience to lose six but after that defeat we all came together. There was a change to our formation and we have played a little differently.”
St Mirren preyed on County errors in the first half but then had to dig deep and show plenty of desire to protect their lead in the second.
Tanser, who arrived in Paisley in the summer, added: “It is always good to come away from home and get a result. We now feel we are building up a head of steam after three wins in a row.
“We’ll just carry on and see where that takes us. The top six is our aim.
“We have come together as a formation and we are gelling. We all know our positions.
“I am enjoying the freedom of the role I’m playing as it gives me more opportunities to go forward. It’s my first goal for the club and hopefully there are a few more to come.”
It was a difficult 90 minutes for Malky Mackay’s winless Staggies.
After 15 minutes, Tanser played in Eamonn Brophy for a ferocious finish that beat Ashley MaynardBrewer high at his near post.
Their lead was doubled in 34 minutes when Tanser’s corner from the right found the home defence at fault, with ex-Staggies skipper Marcus Fraser free to head home.
County hit back inside two minutes after Ethan Erhahon fouled Alex Samuel 25 yards out.
Blair Spittal’s fierce free-kick took a wicked flick off the top of the wall to beat goalie Jak Alnwick.
A third goal within four minutes had the Buddies back two goals in front from a long Alnwick kick out.
County defenders Jack Baldwin and Alex Iacovitti failed to deal with it and Tanser was able to dink a finish past Maynard-Brewer.
County enjoyed steady pressure of their own in the second half and they were back in business in the 66th minute.
On-loan Arsenal defender Harry Clarke, an impressive attacking threat from right-back, delivered a tremendous cross for fellow defender Iacovitti to send a glancing header beyond Alnwick.
County, tails up, kept pressing for the equaliser and saw Clarke hit a post, only for determined St Mirren defending to keep them at bay.