Are the 'stars aligning' in McLeish's favour?
[BBC] So it would seem the stars are aligning in Craig McLeish's favour. It's beginning to look like the 35-year-old will be in charge of St Mirren until the end of the season - that's seven Premiership matches and one, maybe two, Scottish Cup ties. A relegation battle and a tilt at securing a cup double.
Quite the challenge. For a man who had been in charge of overseeing player transition from academy to first team, this is the ultimate transition. Stephen Robinson's abrupt and yet at the same time long-expected departure left most supporters hoping the board would bring in an experienced successor quick style.
Robbo took assistant Brian Kerr with him, ruling him out of the succession plan if he was ever in it. McLeish was left holding the baby with goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield and head of youth development Allan McManus. The team was tanking in the league, not just flirting with relegation but taking it for dinner and a movie.
There was a clamour to get a new boss in. In McLeish's first game in charge, the home loss to Rangers, St Mirren put in one of their best performances for a while and perhaps should have taken something. The style was tweaked to a more possession-based approach and players were applauded off the pitch by supporters despite the 1-0 defeat.
Next was a tough league match away to Falkirk. The Saints went a goal behind, but fought back for only their second away win of the season. It looks like the players believe in what he's doing and fans, although not all of them, are coming round to the idea of McLeish keeping the manager's jacket until the end of the season at least.