{"id":39500,"title":"The Back Five #18","description":"A look at the past week in European football's favourite sons St Mirren FC. With Misery Hunters writer Andrew Christie.","content":"

\"dqobjfxfwmrm6c92ssjonmdbzk47argt4tomx8htj9cqhmsc.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&v=2\"And just like that, another season draws to a close. A campaign that started with hope and ended in history.<\/p>

Here\u2019s Andrew Christie<\/u><\/a>. When he\u2019s not petitioning the New York Times to put IDEMO in Wordle, he\u2019s compiling short read listicles looking at the past week of St Mirren Football Club for you lucky, lucky people to enjoy.<\/p>

This is The Back Five.<\/p>

<\/p>

\"ay6bj5aexzwgobyr56ej8xvbr3ghkby3qrn5k3lsheqjfqqd.png.png?w=1140&v=2\"Saints Sign-Off<\/h3>

With our historic return to Europe mathematically sealed before a ball was kicked, fifth placed St Mirren\u2019s final two Premiership games turned into joyous occasions for Buddies fans, who were treated to a pair of nonsense fun games full of goals.<\/p>

First up was a blood and snotters 2-2 draw at home to Hearts, with Jameses\u2019 Scott and Bolton putting us in front before Lawrence Shankland's spectacular late equaliser.<\/p>

Then it was the small matter of a Celtic Park curtain call against the newly-crowned champions, and although I elected to sit in my far-too-close-too-all-that flat with a big Frank Sidebottom head made out of the stuff they use to soundproof CIA black sites, I\u2019m told it was quite an entertaining game.<\/p>

The magnificent Mark O'Hara fired us into a shock early lead with a sweetly struck volley. Though Matt O'Riley equalised, O'Hara soon restored our advantage from the penalty spot after a clumsy Stephen Welsh challenge on Toyosi Olusanya.<\/p>

Despite Luis Palma's late winner edging it for Celtic, it did little to dampen the Euro-party spirit in the away end. This St Mirren side has taken us to unprecedented heights and richly deserves these acclaim-soaked hurrahs.<\/p>

A fitting end to our greatest season in nearly 40 years. The scenes<\/u><\/a> following the Hearts game in particular will live long in the memory.<\/p>

<\/p>

\"xaklkamamd19vo8lm8hde4o1ejrii2x9och4nvlgujkisc24.png.png?w=1140&v=2\"Departure Lounge<\/h3>

The end of the 2023-24 season marks the departure of several key players from St Mirren, leaving a bittersweet taste for the Buddies faithful. Among the departures are Keanu Baccus, Ryan Strain, Zach Hemming, Jaden Brown, Charles Dunne and Ryan Flynn. <\/p>

Australian internationals Baccus and Strain in particular have been a joy to watch in the black and white stripes. Their impact will be sorely missed, but their futures in the game are bright, and St Mirren fans can take pride in having witnessed their development.<\/p>

Special mention must go to Charles Dunne. A commanding presence at the back, Dunne has been a valuable asset both on and off the pitch, even as his playing time diminished. His contributions have extended beyond the field, making him a beloved figure within the St Mirren family.<\/p>

Ryan Flynn\u2019s commitment to the Saints through promotions, relegation battles, and every challenge in between has endeared him to the Paisley faithful forever. Capping off his time here with St Mirren's historic qualification for Europe is a fitting farewell for a player who has given his all to the club. Should the budget allow, retaining Flynn in a coaching role would be a wise decision. If indeed his future lie elsewhere, he will leave us as a club legend, and one that will likely enjoy many a \u201cour future manager<\/em>\u201d tweet from these parts every time he does, well, anything. Cheerio Flynny.<\/p>

<\/p>

\"ifgn6nbabe8p0a9zfniox4rdtgslkgebex0cfmnbias0sipo.png.png?w=1140&v=2\"And The Winner Is\u2026<\/h3>

Alex Gogic's outstanding season with St Mirren was deservedly recognised as he secured a remarkable trio of accolades at the club's Player of the Year Awards Dinner. The Cypriot defender, who has been a fan favourite since joining the Buddies, was named St Mirren Men's Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year, and SMiSA Player of the Year. Gogic's consistent performances at the heart of Saints\u2019 defence have been instrumental throughout St Mirren's push for European qualification.<\/p>

The 30-year-old's impact on and off the pitch has endeared him to the St Mirren faithful, making his clean sweep of the top individual honours a well-deserved recognition of his invaluable contributions.<\/p>

Lifelong St Mirren fan Ceara Macintyre's triumph as the inaugural St Mirren Women's Player of the Year marked a historic moment for the club. Despite her individual accolade, Macintyre remained humble in her post-win interview, deflecting praise to her teammates and singling out the imperious Karen McCabe; Saints\u2019 captain and ever-present figure across the past five years. Macintyre's success encapsulates the pride and passion that the St Mirren faithful hold for their beloved club, making her achievement a cherished moment for all involved.<\/p>

A full list of the night\u2019s winners can be found here<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>

<\/p>

\"oiinnkx6dcvgwlmk8ftbczxtbaocfgceginuw7erx3bwsex7.png.png?w=1140&v=2\"All For Roo<\/h3>

\u201cRooney Rooney Rooney Rooneyyy\u201d, to the tune of the Kaiser Chiefs. That\u2019s one, isn\u2019t it? <\/p>

Remember going to Firewater and then Jellybaby at the ABC?<\/p>

My back hurts. I don\u2019t think I\u2019d get in Wunderbar. They\u2019d lie and say it was full or something but they\u2019d know why and I\u2019d know why. We\u2019d all know. <\/p>

This is a great signing. A real statement from us.<\/p>

<\/p>

\"ricmdakbfn75kj8cfndnphufhjsf3t1rk7cn98pruuxguvna.png.png?w=1140&v=2\"Bud Adieu <\/h3>

And with that, it's time for club football to bow out for a while. <\/p>

We part knowing our next competitive fixture will be in Europe. Fuck, that feels good to say. <\/p>

Savour the build-up, buds - this moment has been 37 years in the making.<\/p>

Okay BYE.<\/p>","urlTitle":"the-back-five-18","url":"\/blog\/the-back-five-18\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/the-back-five-18\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/miseryhunters.co.uk\/blog\/the-back-five-18\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1716234518,"updatedAt":1716322805,"publishedAt":1716322804,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":106606,"name":"Misery Hunters"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pz1dhf30obfexwh6pzxnc5fthivhxr24wgqmrrqz47hep8e7.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pz1dhf30obfexwh6pzxnc5fthivhxr24wgqmrrqz47hep8e7.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/pz1dhf30obfexwh6pzxnc5fthivhxr24wgqmrrqz47hep8e7.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":16922,"title":"Waiting For Robbo","url":"\/blog\/waiting-for-robbo\/","urlTitle":"waiting-for-robbo","division":106606,"description":"Boy oh boy, remember how long we spent in the first half of the season sweating with a back three against teams we'd expect to be comfortably putting away on our road to a top six? That was rough.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/oxcwhmejquvkkj0a9ufvgqfnscjf6zdutyusnwsvmblp1hfu.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/oxcwhmejquvkkj0a9ufvgqfnscjf6zdutyusnwsvmblp1hfu.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":46069,"title":"Perth-ect Stranger","url":"\/blog\/perthect-stranger\/","urlTitle":"perthect-stranger","division":106606,"description":"Misery Hunters writer Andrew Christie remembers The Rasmus, has another wee dig at Aberdeen and previews St Mirren's upcoming league match with St Johnstone.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/atw3zxq8bb04wpaxfstwycyksyarzbktryekk224sheuc3or.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/atw3zxq8bb04wpaxfstwycyksyarzbktryekk224sheuc3or.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":21143,"title":"I'm Loving Ange Ls Instead","url":"\/blog\/im-loving-ange-ls-instead\/","urlTitle":"im-loving-ange-ls-instead","division":106606,"description":"\u201cComfortable, actually\u201d was how Mark O\u2019Hara described St Mirren\u2019s 2-0 win over Celtic in his post-match interview on Sunday. And you have to say, the captain and goalscorer was pretty much spot on in his assessment of his side\u2019s performance.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/2rorjkztngdngvomwlcmw8rhoeewpwcceb0sha8wn5mxnzos.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/2rorjkztngdngvomwlcmw8rhoeewpwcceb0sha8wn5mxnzos.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}