Player power is key to success, says boss Gus

Oct 9 2008 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

BUDDIES boss Gus MacPherson believes player power will take the club much further in the SPL than tactics ever will.

MacPherson, right, raised a few eyebrows among the fans and critics on Sunday as he deployed three centre-halves when St Mirren played host to Rangers.

But it was the Saints gaffer who had the last laugh as his battling Buddies posted an unforgettable 1-0 win.

However yesterday MacPherson shrugged off suggestions that his game plan was the key to the downfall of Walter Smith’s side.

He said: “A lot has been made of tactics but they mean absolutely nothing. The game is about players and how they apply themselves.

“The most important thing in trying to win football games is the performance of the players. They are the be-all-and-end-all and the most important people at any football club.”

St Mirren’s giant-killing act at the weekend is sure to have made other SPL sides sit up and take notice.

And MacPherson is keen for the Buddies to continue to carve out a reputation as a tough side to beat.

He said: “When it comes to playing 38 games over the course of a season, then the SPL race is only going to be between two teams.

“The Old Firm have stadiums filled with 50,000 or so season ticket holders every other week but, in 90 minutes of football, anything can happen.

“If we can play well against these teams, then we feel we can create opportunities against them as we’ve taken points away from Ibrox and Celtic Park before.”