In the build-up to kick-off on Wednesday night, the talk of the media room was whether or not Tony Watt would have a telling say on the result from the bench.
It happens so often in football. A new striker comes in from out of the cold elsewhere and immediately finds red-hot form for their new club.
Just look at Eamonn Brophy. The forward still hasn’t scored a goal for St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium but took just 13 minutes to open his account for Ross County in Dingwall last weekend.
But while the focus leading up to the game was on the Buddies’ new deadline day recruit, what I and many others reporters and fans overlooked was just how motivated Curtis Main was to prove his worth back at Pittodrie.
The clue should have been taken from last weekend when the striker netted the winner against Motherwell, another of his former sides. But he had even more cause to strive to be the star man on Wednesday evening in front of a crowd that, largely, deemed him not fit to wear the Dons jersey.
Because of that it was not a big surprise to see the burly striker soaking up every second of both celebrations after his opening header and sublime second.
I will hold my hands up and say I’ve been critical of Main in the past. While his effort and work-rate has never been in question, a clinical edge in front of goal has often been slightly less reliable.
But whatever the attacking work on the training ground is that Stephen Robinson alluded to in his post-match comments, it’s clearly having the desired effect as Main has found a ruthless streak in front of goal in his last two games.
His movement for both his first goal on Wednesday and his opener against Motherwell showed vast improvements.
And his incredible improvisation for his second against Aberdeen was simply inspired.
The touch and finish showed just what he’s capable of in the box, and he couldn’t have picked a better place to prove that than the ground where so many doubters were watching on – and ultimately silenced.
While undoubtedly aided by Ross McCrorie’s early red card (which yes, was a red card going by the rules), the Buddies put in another performance brimming with endeavour but also quality on the ball.
Robinson was right to point out this team aren’t just a side that can only press other teams out of possession. They can also pass their way through them as well.
Aussie imports Ryan Strain and Keanu Baccus are increasingly confident on the ball with Main’s link-up play also improving as the season has gone on.
The arrival of Tony Watt can only further strengthen the Buddies for the remainder of the season.
When the Dundee United man is motivated and fully fit he is a proven goalscorer in this division, and in Robinson he has the perfect man to make sure he’s firing on all cylinders.
While a top-six finish remains the Buddies primary target this season, a very difficult achievement in itself, the prospect of a European adventure is looming tantilisingly closer into view.
What started as jokes about looking out the passport and booking flights to Kazakhstan have swiftly turned into a growing belief and optimism that St Mirren could well find themselves in Europe again next season.
Not since the 1987 European Cup Winners’ Cup have the Saints taken on the best the continent have to offer.
But with the Paisley side now four points clear of Aberdeen with a game still in hand on the Dons, they have given themselves an excellent chance of staying above the Pittodrie side come the split in April.
A win at the SMiSA Stadium tomorrow against struggling Hibs would see them move five points clear of the Easter Road side – again, still with a game in hand on the Edinburgh club.
Staying above those two sides, who boast vastly superior playing budgets, would represent an incredible achievement by both Robinson and this group of players.
But the gaffer has history on his side, having already achieved a European return for Motherwell just three years ago.
As it stands, it certainly looks like Robinson has got his slick side working well enough to maintain their current run of form, especially at home where they’ve enjoyed a quite simply remarkable streak.
If they can keep their performances levels sky high, St Mirren fans could well be on Skyscanner in the summer planning a trip to the continent once again.
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