The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
CHAMPIONSHIP Emotions run high as Saints clinch the title
St Mirren manager Jack Ross admitted he was emotional following their title triumph after his players continued their extraordinary rise.
The Buddies got the point they needed to seal the Championship title thanks to a goalless draw against Livingston in front of more than 6,000 home fans at Paisley on Saturday.
Ross, who took over in October 2016 with the club struggling at the foot of the Championship, said: “The initial feeling was relief when the final whistle went but beyond that a huge amount of pride.
“What that group of players has given me is outstanding. They are in the history books now.
“It’s a brilliant achievement, and to do it in front of this crowd was fitting.
“I must admit I was a bit emotional at the end.”
BY ANDY SKINNER
What looked like a tricky day at the office turned out to be a rout as Caley Thistle showed a sparkling response to early adversity against Dumbarton.
After falling behind to Grant Gallacher’s early strike, the Highlanders rallied and, in Nathan Austin, they possessed a striker with the Midas touch, with his treble added to by strikes from Aaron Doran and Iain Vigurs to record Inverness’ biggest win of the season.
Austin’s Caley Jags career has been stop-start through injury since joining from Falkirk in January but, with four goals in his last three games, his form at a crucial stage could be key to the Highlanders’ ongoing Championship promotion hopes.
Although the points gap remains the same, with eight point separating them from the play-off spots, Inverness are starting to ramp up the pressure on the teams above them and have games in hand in their favour – starting with tomorrow’s away match against the Sons.
Changes were enforced upon John Robertson, with Carl Tremarco, Coll Donaldson and Charlie Trafford suspended. Collin Seedorf, Riccardo Calder
CALEYTHISTLE DUMBARTON 5 1
and Doran were drafted in. It was an even start to the match, with Caley Thistle’s closest early attempt coming within the opening 10 minutes. Iain Vigurs has declared himself off penalty taking duties but there was no stopping him in taking the first free kick of the day, with the midfielder curling an effort narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
Inverness fell behind on 13 minutes, however. Dumbarton broke down the right flank, with Andrew Stirling getting the better of Calder, who was left grounded, with the cutback lashed high into the net by the onrushing Gallacher.
It was a setback but the Highlanders produced the ideal response with a stunning equaliser just four minutes later, with Doran lashing an excellent strike past Scott Gallacher from 25 yards, giving the Sons’ breakthrough barely any time to take effect.
Inverness went in search of another goal, with Liam Polworth and Doran both off target with efforts from the edge of the box. Dumbarton threatened once again through the dangerous Stirling, whose whipped delivery narrowly evaded the run of Calum Gallacher.
Caley Jags got themselves in front just four minutes before the break courtesy of a superbly worked goal. Doran was this time the architect, with his threaded pass picking out the run of Austin, who rounded the goalkeeper before doing brilliantly to squeeze the ball home from a tight angle.
Although they had turned the game on its head, Inverness emerged for the second half looking determined to make the points safe, with Polworth dragging a low effort wide.
Inverness’ third goal arrived on 50 minutes. It was another excellent move, which saw Oakley play in Polworth’s run before the midfielder
“Caley Jags produced the ideal response with a stunning equaliser”