Days of glory for Saints
Premier League here we come LOOKING BACK: APRIL 14, 2018 ST MIRREN WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Eighteen months after some of their darkest days, the misery of the Championship has been banished once and for all thanks to a magical managerial team and a group of players who have performed greater than even the most ardent of supporter would have ever have expected.
With a fabulous brand of free-flowing football, Saints have been by far and away the best team in the league all season. If anyone says otherwise, feel free to call them a bare-face liar.
St Mirren deserve this glory. St Mirren deserve this moment.
They are on their way, and everybody knows it.
From Samson to Eckersley, McGinn to Mullen. Reilly to Morgan – and everybody inbetween – this Saints team has produced one of the most sensational and enjoyable seasons in the club’s history.
And if they believe that the sky is the limit then no-one can blame them.
Stunning from pretty much start to finish, they have finally got the job done and rightfully so.
Am I gushing? Of course I am.
But am I wrong?
As John Beaton’s full-time whistle broke the air on Saturday, the reaction was enough to send a shiver down your spine.
There was an outpouring of emotion not seen since the 2013 League Cup final, as fans cheered, cried and dived over the hoardings to celebrate with their heroes.
Lord knows these fans deserve a reason to party after all they have been through.
The game itself – who really cares? It wasn’t much to write home about.
Fluid football was out the window in the first half as the challenges rained in on Saints for the second game in a row.
Livingston had clearly found a copy of the Dundee United handbook of dealing with St Mirren, and it looked as though the only way to cope the champions-elect was by simply scything them down.
But with the bit between their teeth on Grand National day, Saints raced out the traps and never really looked like a side feeling the pressure of needing a point to seal their return to the top flight.
Lewis Morgan took it upon himself to get the crowd, who didn’t need any encouragement anyway, off their seats with an incredible curling drive from 25 yards, which came crashing back off the inside of the far post.
Saints continued to plug away, but Livingston looked capable of potentially picking them off on the break and would come close with a couple of headers.
But it was St Mirren who were more creative and Cammy Smith was unlucky to see his chipped effort land on the roof of the net as he tried to catch out the keeper.
Gary MacKenzie and Harry Davis then both tried their luck from a Kyle Magennis corner, but neither could scramble home at the far post as the ball dropped at their feet.
With just a point required to wrap up the title, Saints came out in the second half looking like a side somewhat unsure whether or not to go for it.
Instead, it was Livingston, looking to keep their faint title dreams alive, who took the game to their hosts.
A Craig Halkett header was just too high for Craig Samson’s bar as the chances began to mount up.
But as the game neared the hour mark, Saints seemed to find their composure as they got the ball down and started to play.
Magennis and McGinn were beginning to link up, while Ryan Flynn and Morgan were increasingly getting into the game as the ball went to feet.
But it was again Mullen going close in 65 minutes as the little striker rose highest to nod just over the bar from a McGinn freekick from wide on the right.
Hometown hero Magennis then had the chance to wrap it up – but, to his credit, his strike was destined for the back of the net, had it not been for Declan Gallagher’s blocks.
He didn’t score, but who cares? The final score of 0-0 was enough to get it done.
The last five minutes? Well, nothing happened apart from Saints strolled it. There was no hanging on, there was no panic in the slightest.
And as Beaton brought an end to the game, there was nothing but joy.
Strangers hugging strangers, waves and phone calls across the stadium – it truly is amazing what St Mirren can do to you.
It’s infectious. We love it. We sometimes hate that we love it, but we support them nonetheless.
For those who were there, Saturday will go down in history.
No-one will remember the game - but no one will forget this season.