Robb could be our wing king

Oct 1 2008 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

BUDDIES boss Gus MacPherson has praised Steven Robb for the impact he has made at St Mirren - and has challenged his summer signing to establish himself as the new wing wizard at Love Street.

Robb turned in a superb display on the left side of midfield during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Fir Park as he tormented the Motherwell defence.

Although MacPherson was disappointed to lose at the weekend, the performance of former Dundee United ace Robb, who set up Billy Mehmet for the opening goal, was a real plus point.

And the Saints manager is convinced 26-year-old Robb can be an integral part of the club’s efforts to climb the SPL table – provided he can steer clear of injury.

MacPherson said: “We know what we’ve got in Steven Robb. He has good technique, he’s quick and direct and provides a threat from wide on the pitch.

“I think he can be a major asset to us in that area of the park.

“It’s been a frustrating time for Steven recently because he suffered injuries last season at Dundee United and he also had problems in pre-season, so things have been stop-start for him.

“But, hopefully, we can get him up to full fitness and we’ll see the best of him.”

MacPherson has also praised the efforts of striker Mehmet, who has been in fine goalscoring form for Saints this season.

The former Dunfermline hitman is enjoying his most prolific spell since arriving in Paisley three years ago and has already helped himself to seven goals during the 2008-09 campaign.

He has scored in SPL matches against Hearts, Inverness, Falkirk and Motherwell, as well as bagging a hat-trick in the Co-operative Insurance Cup clash with Dumbarton.

That has left him just one goal short of matching last season’s personal best tally of eight strikes.

And MacPherson is confident there is plenty more to come from Mehmet.

He added: “I have said for some time that goals were all that Billy needed to add to his game and he’s doing that now.

“If we can get Billy into double figures it will be a very good return from him.”