Robbo thrilled by full Paisley backing

PLUMPTON, SOUTHWELL & WOLVERHAMPTON RACECARDS: PAGE 17

Stephen Robinson reckons high-flying St Mirren have the whole of Paisley behind them.

The Buddies boss savoured the special connection between players and punters after his side’s dramatic 2-1 injury-time victory over Aberdeen.

Mark O’Hara’s penalty and Toyosi Olusanya’s strike saw Saints leapfrog Kilmarnock into fourth in the Premiership table — with the two teams set to clash on Saturday, March 16 at Rugby Park.

And Robbo feels there is real strength in the sense of togetherness at the SMiSA as Saints strive for back-to-back top six finishes.

He said:“I was just delighted for the fans that stayed and encouraged us. No one panicked and they know this team goes right to the death.

“What a group of boys. Everyone is together here. The fans, the players, the board. We are dragging every last drop out of this squad.

“The community have bought into these boys and I can’t blame them because, if I was from Paisley, I’d be too.

“[Fourth is] just the position we are in at the moment. We want to secure top six before we go any further but we’ve given ourselves a chance with this result.”

Robinson insists he and his backroom team were confident about the spot-kick award during VAR official Kevin Clancy’s agonising three-minute check.

“We had the live feed so we knew it was a penalty,”he revealed.“It was more about them checking the phases.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino watched on from the main stand after he arrived in Scotland to attend the IFAB meeting at Loch Lomond – and was treated to a cracker.

“I’m sure he enjoyed it anyway!,”Robbo laughed.“It was certainly and exciting finish.”

In the end, gaffer Robinson felt Saints were worthy winners.

He added:“We had 70 per cent possession and 14 shots – we deserved to win. We dominated the game and the players showed a great attitude.”