Saints stroll to victory as McAllister shines
ST MIRREN 2 McAllister (38), Obika (60) KILMARNOCK 0
St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin believes midfielder Kyle McAllister is now pulling his weight for the Paisley side.
The 22-year-old scored his first goal in nearly two years to help his side beat Kilmarnock and remain in the top six.
McAllister was brought back to the Buddies after an unsuccessful spell at Derby County and is again showing the talent that led to a move down south.
Goodwin is delighted by his player but would like him to hit the net more often.
He said: “We’re constantly on at Kyle to do that because everyone knows the ability and creativity he’s got.
“When I had the option to take him back up from Derby it was a no-brainer.
“I’ve been very critical of him in terms of his fitness and his own application away from here but I now have to give him great credit.
“He has worked really hard on getting his weight down and he has lost a lot of body fat.
“He’s now looking like the player we all know he is capable of being.”
McAllister was one of a number of impressive performers as Saints strolled to victory.
Kilmarnock, in contrast, served up another very poor performance.
The men in blue and white looked like a group of players marking time.
They hadn’t been too impressive under former boss Alex Dyer and they’re no better for his removal.
You could see the difference having a permanent manager with a plan makes to a team.
Goodwin was forever prowling his technical area offering advice and encouragement.
But there were only occasional appearances from the away dug-out, with head of football operations James Fowler or coach Andy Millen pointing out an error.
Keeping hold of the ball was something Killie found exceptionally difficult in the first half.
The main aim seemed to be keeping the action away from their own penalty area.
Thumping a long ball forward proved a popular ploy but not a very successful one.
There was the unusual sight of St Mirren goalie Dean Lyness heading away two clearances from his opposite number
within the first 10 minutes.
Kilmarnock were a better side after the introduction of Burke and Mulumbu on the hour mark – two men who are always calm in possession – but the game was beyond them by then.
St Mirren’s opener came when McAllister bulleted home a cross from Durmus.
It was a precise delivery and a fine finish, but weak defending from Kilmarnock.
The Buddies’ second goal was gift-wrapped by Alan Power. He was caught in possession inside the penalty area by Obika and the Englishman then had time to pick his spot past Doyle.
St Mirren have put themselves into a great position to claim a top-six finish this season.
They are just a point ahead of Dundee United but have three games in hand.
Goodwin, who confirmed striker Kristian Dennis is likely to miss the rest of the season, said: “I asked the players before the game to make sure we were still in the top six.
“It will be the same message on Wednesday against Celtic.
“I think we need another three wins from the remaining eight games that we’ve got.
“That would put us on 41 points and I think with us having more games to play than the teams below us, that should be enough.”