Gus: No-one's a pushover

Nov 4 2008 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN manager Gus MacPherson last night insisted this season’s league campaign will be the toughest he has faced – because none of the teams will be SPL whipping boys.

Last year, crisis club Gretna were quickly cast adrift at the bottom of the league, giving the Buddies and other sides some valuable breathing space as they set about climbing the table.

But MacPherson reckons the SPL teams outwith the Old Firm giants are now more evenly matched than they’ve ever been.

And he knows his side will need to continue to turn in strong performances if they want to beat last season’s 10th place finish.

MacPherson said: “Without a shadow of a doubt, the league is stronger this year.

“You only have to look at the table just now to determine how even it is between the teams.

“Motherwell have gone on a run and they are now third in the table, yet they are only four points ahead of us.

“That’s all that’s really required – a run which adds confidence to the team. With those two things in place, you can climb up the table.”

St Mirren finished in 11th spot in their first season back in the big time in 2006-07, with Dunfermline being relegated.

They then went one better by securing 10th place last season, ahead of Gretna and Kilmarnock.

The Paisley men are hoping to improve on that by the end of this campaign and are currently sitting in ninth spot, having played all 11 SPL opponents once.

They have gathered a total of 12 points from those 11 games and are ahead of Falkirk, Inverness Caley Thistle and Hamilton Accies.

But MacPherson believes his side deserve to have been rewarded with more points on the board.

And he is hoping they can enjoy better luck over the next 11 games – starting this Saturday, when Hearts are the visitors to Love Street.

A win over the Jambos will see Saints leapfrog them in the table.

He said: “We’ve been pleased with the performances but there’s been an over-riding sense of frustration too.

“When you see the highlights of SPL matches on TV, the games just seem so close and, when you look at the table, nobody in the bunch of clubs that we are in is running away with games.

“That tells you how thin a line it is between winning and losing at this level of football.”