{"id":16830,"title":"Ronan in the Deep","description":"There was an air of excitement around the SMISA Stadium on Saturday as Stephen Robinson took to the dugout for the first time as St Mirren boss, facing off against Robbie Neilson\u2019s Hearts. It was the first of two meetings in three weeks between the two sides, with the Scottish Cup Quarter Final at Tynecastle lying in wait on March 12th. As dress rehearsals go, however, Saturday could not have got off to a worse start when Connor Ronan was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Beni Baningime with just 22 minutes on the clock","content":"

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By Andrew Christie<\/em><\/strong>


There was an air of excitement around the SMISA Stadium on Saturday as Stephen Robinson took to the dugout for the first time as St Mirren boss, facing off against Robbie Neilson\u2019s Hearts.<\/p>

It was the first of two meetings in three weeks between the two sides, with the Scottish Cup Quarter Final at Tynecastle lying in wait on March 12th. As dress rehearsals go, however, Saturday could not have got off to a worse start when Connor Ronan was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Beni Baningime with just 22 minutes on the clock. High, reckless and with studs firmly planted into the Hearts midfielder\u2019s knee \u2013 there could be no real complaints (mute the highlights when you watch them to believe this lie) as Greg Aitken sent the admittedly very not that type of player Ronan to the dressing room.<\/p>

Truth be told, we could even count it as a bit of a lucky escape to have suffered just the one dismissal considering Marcus Fraser\u2019s equally risky challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven mere seconds before Ronan\u2019s.<\/p>

Credit must go to St Mirren for the reaction they showed following the red card. At 11 v 11 we struggled to get a hold of the game, and but for some better finishing by Liam Boyce (the striker having another pretty desperate day in front of goal), we could have seen ourselves at least a goal down in the opening stages. Ronan\u2019s dismissal seemed to shake Robinson\u2019s men into life slightly and the game subsequently opened up.\"\"
Saints could in fact have been handed an opportunity to go ahead on the half-hour mark, had referee Aitken not waved away what looked like a very strong claim for a penalty following a clumsy tackle by Ben Woodburn on striker Alex Greive.<\/p>

Without Ronan, however, the Saints front line frequently found themselves isolated. With Jordan Jones and Greg Kiltie unable to link the midfield and attack (the only successful dribble from a player in black and white in the game coming from Kiltie deep inside his own half) and Hearts\u2019 back three of John Souttar, Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley were allowed to go about much of their afternoon frustratingly unchallenged.<\/p>

While Hearts did look the most likely to create in the first half (Barrie McKay in particular was a wicked creative outlet for the JTs on the day), St Mirren stood up to them impressively. Our back four dealt well Hearts on the break and mopped up the aerial bombardment aimed at Boyce. Once again, Joe Shaughnessy shone at the heart of the barricade, recording 3\/3 successful aerial duels, 4 interceptions, 1 block and 5 clearances. Overall, the Saints were good for their 0-0 at the half time interval.<\/p>

Disappointed with his side\u2019s inability to capitalise on the situation, Hearts boss Robbie Neilson looked to his bench and made a bold but ultimately game-changing decision as Woodburn, Mackay-Steven and Nathanial Atkinson (who on another day could have also found himself seeing red for a couple of challenges on jones) were replaced by Ellis Simms, Josh Ginnelly and Alex Cochrane with 55 minutes on the clock.<\/p>

From this point onwards, the extra man began to tell, and proved the difference on 64 and 67 minutes with goals from Simms and Cammy Devlin sending the travelling Union Jack emoji enthusiasts wild in the away end.<\/p>

The goals would prove to be the beating of St Mirren as Stephen Robinson was forced to watch his new side\u2019s eight-game unbeaten run come to a disappointing end.<\/p>

However, given the circumstances of the 2-0 defeat, it is very much one to forget and move on, as the upcoming seven days provides us three quick opportunities to set things right with trips to Celtic, Ross County and Dundee.<\/p>

Saints will also draw confidence from the fact that, although Celtic\u2019s last domestic home defeat took place over a year ago in January 2021, it did come against us. Although a far different prospect from the Neil Lennon clown car that we bested thirteen months ago, the current league leaders are not without their weaknesses themselves. Recent European losses to FK Bod\u00f8\/Glimt and a turgid 0-0 draw with Hibs on Sunday may have Stephen Robinson buoyed by the timing of his trip to Parkhead \u2013 ready to cash in the \u201c1 new manager bounce, please\u201d voucher that we were denied use of on Saturday.<\/p>

Saints will take confidence from Celtic\u2019s trip to Easter Road as Postecoglou\u2019s men were stifled and suffocated by Hibs. By using Jake Doyle-Hayes and Josh Campbell to man-mark Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor and doubling up on Liel Abada and Jota on either wing, Celtic were unable to create the attacking overloads their system thrives on, leaving them stifled and suffocated by an impressive defensive performance from Shaun Maloney\u2019s men.<\/p>

As Connor Ronan begins his suspension, his place in the starting XI will likely be filled by young Jay Henderson. With him on the right and Jordan Jones on the left Robinson will look to them to perform as an effective out ball \u2013 as teams often need in order to compete at Parkhead. Despite blowing hot and cold since joining St Mirren, Jones has the undeniable ability to turn games his ability to run with the ball will be an asset Saints should look to utilise on Wednesday.<\/p>

Striker Alex Greive\u2019s strength with his back to goal will also be key. Celtic currently hold the joint second-worst record at defending set-pieces in the league (9 of their 17 goals conceded have come this way), and the New Zealand international\u2019s ability to move the ball up the park and draw fouls will be something Saints will be looking at in the days leading up to the game.\"\"
While a trip to Celtic Park is admittedly difficult ask for Stephen Robinson to bounce back, trips to Dingwall and Dens the following week are fantastic opportunities for the new boss to put his stamp on the job. Saturday\u2019s defeat to Hearts will rightfully go down as a disappointing defeat, however, it is not one that will make or break the season by any means. What it will have done, however, is make Stephen Robinson even more hungry to get his first points on the board as he looks to consolidate St Mirren\u2019s position in the top half of the table.<\/p>

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