Saints alive and kicking predictions of doom into touch

Saints became the first side to leave Tynecastle with three points this season after a Stewart Kean goal handed them a surprise 1-0 victory over Hearts, drawing the Love Street side level in third place with their opponents.

Despite being tipped to be involved in a relegation battle, St Mirren have already picked up 10 points from their opening six matches, which includes trips to Tynecastle and Celtic Park - two of the toughest away fixtures in the SPL calendar.

While many have waited for the impressive start to end with successive defeats, it seems like MacPherson's men might prove tougher to shift from the top half of the table than even their own fans originally thought.

Their manager was confident his players would fight for every point going, but even he has been pleasantly surprised at the results his men have clocked up.

He said: "If anyone had told me we'd be sitting in joint third with Hearts, and just behind Celtic and Rangers after six games, I wouldn't have believed them.

"Have I been surprised by the start we have made? I've not been surprised at how organised we have been or the effort and application of the players, but some of the results have been great.

"But I tell the players after every good result that we've got it all to do the following weekend. You have to approach each game like that and make sure you go out and work hard. The season has hardly started in that respect and no-one is getting carried away here.

"We might have made a positive start to the season, but our aim here is still to avoid relegation; that's not likely to change in the near future."

MacPherson is quite right to be cautious, as the true test will come for St Mirren during the winter months when their squad is stretched to the limit.

With a smaller budget than the teams they are competing against, it remains to be seen how they'll cope with injury and suspension.

But you can only judge Saints on what they are putting out on to the park right now and it's impressive. OK, so keeper Tony Bullock had one of those days when there was just no beating him, but even the leading sides carry that luck at times and Saints were determined to leave Edinburgh with something to show for their efforts.

While Hearts made the more convincing start, Saints responded to create chances, with Kean forcing Scotland No.1 Craig Gordon into a fine save. But it was a backs-to-the-wall display from the visitors.

The longer Hearts went without scoring, the more Saints sensed it might just be their day and, when sub Craig Molloy's shot was parried by Gordon, Kean was always going to be first to the rebound.

He said: "It was great to win the game and it's always nice, as a striker, to get your name on the scoresheet. But all the guys, especially big Tony Bullock, deserve praise because we had to work so hard to get the points.

"Outwith the Old Firm, Hearts are the biggest club in the country and going to Tynecastle is one of the toughest games you'll get.

"They've already beaten Celtic there this season, so it's fantastic for us to take all three points."

NEED TO KNOW

Was it a good game?

There was plenty of action - although the quality wasn't always great.

Buddies best player?

Goalkeeper Tony Bullock had one of those days when nothing was going to beat him.

And their man?

Tynecastle skipper Steven Pressley carried on his Scotland form with another solid display.

Referee watch

Dougie McDonald won't be too popular at Tynecastle, but was right to deny Hearts' penalty claims.

And who's up next?

Kilmarnock at Love Street; another big test for Saints.

Taken from Evening Times