McLeish coping admirably in 'baptism of fire'
[BBC] St Mirren's search for a manager rumbles on but one hunt that did end on Saturday was the long, arduous search for an away victory in the Scottish Premiership. The team took three points back to Paisley for the first time in over six months. On both occasions, the victims were Falkirk, giving the Bairns' superb season two disappointing black marks.
Why has Grangemouth become a happy hunting ground for St Mirren? Who knows – or cares – but it now joins Hampden as a stadium the Buddies have rolled into twice this campaign and come away with victories on both occasions. Last weekend also marked the first time we have won from behind in what's been a frustrating and at times infuriating league campaign.
When Barney Stewart was gifted the opener for the hosts, it seemed the travelling fans were on course for another miserable journey back to Paisley and an even more perilous journey into the relegation play-off spot. That didn't happen, however, which is testament to the grit and character the visitors showed. With the resurgence of Kilmarnock under Neil McCann, and the challenges of losing a manager at such a critical time of the season, many in Scottish football already seem to have St Mirren pencilled in for 11th place.
Based Craig McLeish and his team aren't going down without a fight. McLeish has been thrust into the job at an extremely difficult time, inheriting the role from a popular cup-winning manager who himself struggled to get a tune out of this squad for much of the season. Add in the absences of key players like Marcus Fraser and Keanu Baccus and this really has been a baptism of fire for the 35-year-old caretaker.
But McLeish, Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus have performed admirably since the departure of Stephen Robinson. Beating Falkirk is nothing to be sniffed at, and with the relegation battle as tight as it is, every point will be a prisoner. Up next for the Saints?