Ronan’s rocket puts St Mirren in top-six orbit as Aberdeen misfire
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Rewind to Boxing Day. St Mirren had just lost 2-0 to Rangers. It was their 11th game without a win.
After early-season optimism, Buddies fans were looking over their shoulders concerned aboutarelegationbattle.three points above the play-off spot, five ahead of bottom-of-thetable St Johnstone. Manager Jim Goodwin’s lack of tactical flexibility was a discussion point amongst supporters.
A new year, however, has brought a new look St Mirren. The 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1 has been ditched for a back four. Their latest win, a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at The SMISA Stadiumcourtesyofconnorronan’s brilliant second-half strike, has liftedthem11clearofthebottom spot. But more optimistically, just three points behind sixthplace Dons.
On last night’s evidence, that top six spot they missed out on last season by the skin of their teeth is a realistic target.
Dundee United are on their own poor run of league form, while Aberdeen are still very much a work in progress. The smattering of boos from the travellingcontingentduringthe second half was a reflection on the error-strewn and frustrating nature of the performance from Stephen Glass’ men.
Their desire to play out from the back and build through midfield is admirable but on this occasion it wasn’t slick or quick enough, especially with the energy and intensity of St Mirren.
That was best exemplified by
the returning Jamie Mcgrath. The midfielder had been left out by Goodwin for the previoustwomatchesduetotransfer uncertainty.backinagainstthe team who withdrew their precontractoffer,hetrackedcalvin Ramsay diligently from a wide left position.
Off the back of consecutive wins since returning from the winterbreak,thebuddiesstarted brighter. Greg Kiltie created an opening early on before Marcus Fraser went close from
a corner. Even with the change in system and added attacking impetus with five forward thinking players, St Mirren retain a good defensive shape. Organised and hard-working they will make it difficult for all who come up against them.
Aberdeen, though, were ponderous, lacking an injection of speed in attack and someone willing to run beyond Christian Ramirez.theywereone-paced and too predictable.
The Dons went close through
a long-range Lewis Ferguson effort and a Ramsay cross-shot before the interval, but aside from a lively start to the second half, with Scott Brown having two efforts, they never looked like troubling Jak Alnwick.
It was a moment of brilliance from Ronan to grab a deserved three points for a team who showed more purpose, more intent and more intensity.
Akiltiecutbackmissedeveryonebeforetheirishmanpicked up the loose ball on the lefthand
side of the box. He turned and curled a lovely effort past Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis. It washisthirdgoalagainstaberdeen this season.
Fromthere,theirwillingness, work rate and desire to attack got them over the line and right back in the hunt for a top- six spot.
Aberdeen should be looking over their shoulders after an abject performance, one Dons fans made their feelings clear about at the final whistle.