Mikael has score to settle with old Buddie Frankie

Pal robbed Mandron of goal

FRIENDS REUNITED IN CRUNCH

Mikael Mandron is looking forward to reuniting with old pal Frankie Kent today – but joked he’s a better team-mate than an opponent.

The pair were together at Sky Bet League Two Colchester United and have since moved north of the border to continue their careers with Mandron, top right, at St Mirren and Kent, below, at Hearts.

Both look set to feature in this afternoon’s crunch Premiership clash at the SMiSA Stadium which could see the Buddies clinch a top-six spot.

Friendship will be pushed to the side for 90 minutes while Mandron hopes there is no repeat of Kent’s play-acting which cost him a goal in the corresponding fixture last September that Saints won 1-0.

The 29-year-old striker smiled: “I know Frankie really well. I’m looking forward to playing against him.

“We’ve played twice this season and I never started either of the games so I really want to play against him.

“I played with Frankie for two years. He is a very good player, a good lad and has been doing well this season.

“We were at Colchester together. We were having good times and winning games. There were some good nights out. Christmas dos and stuff like that.

“He always made us laugh in the dressing room. He’s a great team-mate.

We’ve had some crazy times together! Some great laughs and good moments on the pitch.

“But as an opponent? No...the first game we played them he took a dive!

“I took the ball off him and he took a dive and I scored. The referee gave a foul. I couldn’t believe it. There was barely any contact.

“It’s one of those frustrating things in football that when a defender is facing his own goal and the smallest contact they go down and the ref will give a foul.

“I never said anything at the time but I might bring it up this weekend! So, he’s definitely better as a team mate!”

Mandron – who has scored 10 goals so far this season – is revelling in his firstchoice striker role having kicked on since the winter break.

“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I’ve put in some good performances and getting goals. I’ve been consistent in the starting line-up which helps.

“Hopefully I can put in a very good performance and get another goal or two.”

Saints are on the brink of back-to-back top-six finishes after another impressive season and Mandron insists the squad have only been looking up during the entire campaign.

He added: “It’s such an exciting position to be in. We’ve been looking at it all season and worked so hard to get in this position.

“We just have to get the job done in the next few games.”

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