Trevor Carson admits making two cup final appearances at Hampden with Motherwell in the same season will be a career highlight for him.
But the goalkeeper insists a consistent domestic campaign and lofty league finish is a much better judge of a team’s pedigree as the Buddies continue to hunt an elusive post-split top six spot.
Carson enjoyed being No.1 with the Steelmen under gaffer Stephen Robinson and jumped at the chance to be re-united in Paisley last May.
Soon to turn 35, the Northern Ireland international knows he’s heading towards the tail end of his playing career.
But he’s determined to make the most of the time he has left between the sticks, including making history with St Mirren in both the Scottish Cup and by sealing a top-half finish this season.
Carson told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “It’s easy to make the comparison and we [the former Motherwell players at St Mirren] have spoken about it before.
“The season we played 3-5-2 at Motherwell we reached the finals of the League Cup and the Scottish Cup, but we weren’t challenging in the top six like we are now.
“Personally, I think where you finish in the league table tells you more about a team throughout that campaign.
“Don’t get me wrong, playing for Motherwell in those finals at Hampden was incredible and, when I finish my career and look back upon it, those occasions will be among the highlights.
“But over the course of nine months or so, if you’ve been up there challenging for a place in the top six, or even a European spot, then that means you’ve been winning more often than not and that leads to a happier dressing room.
“Of course, who’s to say that can’t lead on to a good cup run as well?
“For me, though, the league’s the bread and butter and that’s why I’d rather do well there.
“We’re doing okay in the league but I think we could be doing better and we’re aiming to do better. Everyone’s talking about how long it is since the club had a top-six finish and we’ve given ourselves the platform to deliver that.
“ That’s the main focus for us and I think we’re on the right road.”
Having worked with Robinson before at Fir Park, Carson is no stranger to the manager’s methods – particularly his focus on team shape in training.
Carson is happy to put the hard yards in at Ralston come rain or shine because he believes that is the main reason behind the Buddies’ impressive first half of the season.
Carson said: “Whether we’re playing Rangers or – no disrespect – Ross County or Livingston, we don’t do anything different. We work on our identity from Monday to Friday.
“In some games you might have more of the ball and get more attacks in, but having the kind of solid base we have is a great platform and the hard graft pays off.
“There are many cold, windy days on the training ground at Ralston when the rain’s hammering down and everyone is freezing, but you still go out there and work on your shape.
“We’re solid at the back and quite capable of shutting teams out. We’ve been fortunate in that our defence hasn’t had many injuries and that continuity helps.
“Joe Shaughnessy has come in a few times and done a great job for us with his experience, and we’ve also just signed big Richard Taylor. Our full-backs are also adaptable too.
“But I’m not going to play down how helpful it’s been to have a settled unit.”
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