Gus left fuming after Jambos take the points

Nov 10 2008 by Scott Reid, Paisley Daily Express

GUTTED Gus MacPherson admitted his Buddies fell below the previous standards they had already set during Saturday’s bitterly disappointing 1-0 defeat to 10-man Hearts.

MacPherson reckoned Saints put in an under-par performance on the day and said their passing just wasn’t up to scratch against the team from Tynecastle.

Saturday’s defeat puts MacPherson’s side down to 11th spot in the SPL, just two points ahead of basement boys Hamilton Accies.

And the Saints manager maintained that his side fell short of what is expected of them.

He said: “We’re disappointed to lose the game, especially with the standards that we’ve set earlier in the season.

“We didn’t pass the ball well enough – or quickly enough – to create the opportunities that we would have liked.

“And in the second half we weren’t quick enough in terms of moving the ball.

“When Hearts went down to 10-men, they just played two banks of four and they made it awkward for us.

“The standard was not anywhere near what we have played like since the start of the season.”

Hearts star Michael Stewart was handed an instant red card three minutes from the interval after he kicked Hugh Murray in an off-the-ball incident.

And while referee Mike McCurry never saw the offence, fourth official Bobby Madden did – and brought it to McCurry’s attention.

And MacPherson said afterwards that Madden deserved credit for his “brave” intervention.

He said: “We didn’t have the greatest view but the fourth official was brave to get involved.

“And the television pictures that we’ve seen clearly show that there is a kick from Michael Stewart and it nearly took out two St Mirren players.

“But the fourth official obviously saw the incident and was brave to get involved and make the right decision for Mike McCurry from what he saw.

“It’s what fourth officials are instructed to do – get involved when incidents of violent conduct take place but that’s the only incident that a fourth official can get involved in.

“He persevered in trying to attract Mike McCurry’s attention because it went on for a few minutes. We thought there was nothing going to happen but he got hold of him and told him what went on.”

l Match report: Page 17