As an experienced goalkeeper who has played in everything from international clashes to nerve-racking cup finals, it takes a lot to get Trevor Carson’s heart racing.
But the 35-year-old insists he’s just as excited as St Mirren’s supporters for tomorrow’s season-defining showdown with Kilmarnock.
After a memorable campaign that has seen Stephen Robinson’s Buddies punch well above their weight, the Paisley side go into the crucial match knowing a point is enough to bag the historic top-six spot they’ve been chasing since the split was first introduced back in 2000.
Like all of his team-mates, Carson is desperate to not let all the hard work they’ve put into this season go to waste at the final hurdle.
And he believes the bond this squad have made both as players and with the supporters who have sold-out the SMiSA Stadium for tomorrow’s showpiece will be enough to see the Saints get over the line in Paisley.
Carson told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “I’m glad it is finally here. For me, I usually break training down and Monday to Wednesday is just training. I don’t get into game mode until Thursday.
“This week I have felt it since Monday. It’s been in my mind as it is such a big game.
“Very rarely am I like that and wishing it was Saturday, but this week I have.
“I don’t think that is a bad thing. People might say it is just another game, but as players we have made sacrifices to be in this position.
“Everything this week has been positive. It is a sell-out, all our family and friends will be there.
“The fans have been excellent home and away this season and that’s credit to what we have created. There is no shame to take some credit as we have a bond with each other as players and a bond with the fans.
"Greg Kiltie said to me at Tynecastle, after we beat Hearts, it was one of the best feelings he’d ever had in football. The connection we had with the fans.
“We stayed out for five minutes after full-time and every fan stayed behind for us. It was incredible.
“We don’t have bigtime Charlies in this squad. We have boys playing for the shirt and we can take credit for this season.
“The fans are unbelievable and we have boys struggling to get tickets for their family as the demand is that high.
“It’s fantastic and hopefully we send them all home happy.”
While the mood at the club’s Ralston training ground this morning was full of positivity and determination, Carson and his Buddies know just how much of a hammer blow it would be to miss out on the top-six on the final game before the split.
The impressive shot-stopper believes his side have the mental strength to ensure they aren’t left wondering what could have been come Saturday night.
Carson said: “There is a lot of pressure on us, but I haven’t heard any of the lads saying they are dreading it or nervous.
“They are the opposite and they are excited by the challenge. We are in the driving seat going into this game of the three teams. If we don’t do it then it will be a massive disappointment, but no one will be more disappointed than us.
“We have to embrace the challenge. We were disappointed losing to Rangers but the gaffer said the positive results we picked up before that has us in this strong position.
“I have been in the situation at Motherwell where it was a dead rubber at this stage of the season. As footballers you don’t want to play in those games, you want to be playing for something.
“I have been in relegation battles and they are never nice to be involved in, but every game has an edge and you get a buzz. This game has the same feeling. We are excited and we know the magnitude of the game for the club and ourselves.
“We are excited to get the job done as we have put a lot of hard work into it and it would be a failure if we didn’t do it.
“The motivation is there for us and we are looking forward to it.”
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