McGinn: I love playing in this side

Stephen McGinn admits he is loving playing in this St Mirren team. 

The 28 year-old has played an integral part in the Saints upturn in fortunes since rejoining the club in the January transfer window. 

And the captain confessed that the attacking nature of Jack Ross' side makes it such a good team to be a part of. 

He was speaking to stmirren.com in the aftermath of Saturday's 5-0 win over Raith Rovers, a result that means the Buddies have scored 20 goals in their last six matches.

It's brilliant," he said. "I absolutely love it. I've played in teams where you are trying to grind it out and win with a set piece and it's not enjoyable. You go home after the game, your body aches and you don't enjoy it. But the way we are playing, the way we pass the ball, the way we create chances it's just such an enjoyable team to play in and going forward there are a lot of positives. 

"We've been playing like that. We are well capable of doing that. We put six past Ayr, four past Morton, five against Raith. It's no fluke and we're proving it week-in, week-out. 

"We're a team that gets goals from everywhere, we're a threat right across the team. I'm not sure if Gary MacKenzie got the goal but if he did that would put him on to six for the season. Morgy is capable of goals, Stevie [Mallan], Rory [Loy], there's just goals right through the team and other teams know that. 

"The big debate in the dressing room was whether Stevie got his hat-trick. His third goal was one of the best goals I've ever seen in a game I've been involved in. If the voting is closed for Goal of the Season then whoever wins it has nicked it right off of Stevie because that is the best goal of the season probably anywhere in the country."

"There's a case to be made to not over celebrate," he continued. "We've not secured our status in the division just yet. But where we have come from, if you had offered me this position with a game to go I'd have snapped your hand off.

"It's been an absolute dream three or four months and in the manner we have done it as well - proper attacking football. Anyone who comes to watch us now is getting value for money."

Saints' 5-0 victory over the Kirkcaldy side on Saturday meant that Jack Ross' side can't finish bottom of the league and be automatically relegated. While McGinn was impressed with the manner in which the Buddies triumphed in a high pressure match, he certainly wasn't surprised. 

I said in the dressing room that that is not any better than we have been playing. All I wanted was to produce that and I knew we would be able to win. Obviously to score five goals is a dream in such a pressure scenario but it's not something we're not capable of and that's the most pleasing aspect."

McGinn's brother, John, will be a part of the Hibernian side that receives the Ladbrokes Championship title on Saturday and the skipper is hopeful that it will be double celebration with a win or a draw enough for the Buddies to secure their league status for next season.

It'll be a good one," he said. "They get the title, they'll have a big crowd, we'll take a big crowd through as well. We want to go and finish the job ourselves, we don't want to rely on other teams and we want to go and give them a game. 

"It'll be nice if we can finish the job and know we aren't going to finish in the play-off then I can enjoy him getting his title and what he has done over a hard season."

Tickets for Saturday's match at Easter Road are selling fast. Don't miss out on your chance to back the Buddies as they look to secure their league status. Tickets are on sale at the ticket office, online or by calling 0141-840-6130 

Mallan: I'm taking the hat-trick

Stevie Mallan says he's taking credit for the three goals he scored on Saturday - despite what Sky Sports have said. 

The midfielder's second goal, a freekick minutes before half-time, was credited as an own goal after it took a deflection off Raith's Declan McManus. 

But the 21 year-old in uninterested in what the broadcasters have to say and is in no doubt that the goal is his. 

I'm definitely taking the three goals," he told stmirren.com. "I don't care what anybody says it was on target and deflection or not I'm taking the three goals. No matter what I'm going to take it.

"It was an amazing achievement for myself and all the boys. It shows all the hard work we've put in and to put it all out in the pitch was unreal."

Mallan was in top form in Saturday's 5-0 win over Raith Rovers as he netted another two goals and set up Lewis Morgan was a deft flick to round off the scoring. But it was the midfielder's third goal that got everyone talking. He played a neat one-two with Rory Loy before unleashing the most sensational bending effort into the top corner from 30 yards out. 

It was a great goal for me to score for my hat-trick and it was brilliant for what is hopefully the last home game of the season as well. You saw the fans come out in their numbers and it was great to give them something to cheer about. 

"They are like the 12th man," he explained about the near 5,000 crowd on Saturday. "When it's 0-0, 1-0 you can hear them and the singing section has been a good addition from the club. When you start to see them out in those numbers you get a bit of belief that they are behind us and the manager and I can't thank them enough for their support the full season."

Saints will secure their Ladbrokes Championship with a draw or better on Saturday as they travel to face Hibernian at Easter Road. And while Hibs are champions, Mallan backs the Buddies to go to Edinburgh and produce a performance that gives them the opportunity to remain in the league.

It shows the character the boys have got," he said about Saturday's win. "It was a big game, even the game against Ayr at home we came out and won 6-2. You can see the boys rise to the occasion and next week I'm sure we'll do it again.

"I think the way we are playing just now we could go and beat anyone, anywhere. Even though Hibs have won the league it will be a good day for them but hopefully an even better day for us staying up.

"I know the fans are going to come out in their numbers and give them all something to cheer about if we stay up." 

 

 

Supporters Buses to Easter Road from Paisley 2021 Stadium sold out

Due to demand, Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy will be running a second and final bus on Saturday 6th May from The Paisley 2021 Stadium to Easter Road Stadium for the match away to Hibernian.

Anyone who books a place on the bus will get access to the bar in the Westmarch Suite, which will open from 11:00am with the bus departing at 12:45pm for Edinburgh.

Please note that these buses are now SOLD OUT.

Gallery: Hospitality - Raith Rovers (29th Apr)

A selection of pictures from the hospitality lounge following Saturday's 5-0 win against Raith Rovers in the Ladbrokes Championship.

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Supporters Bus to Easter Road from Paisley 2021 Stadium

Due to demand, Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy will be running a bus on Saturday 6th May from The Paisley 2021 Stadium to Easter Road Stadium for the match away to Hibernian.

Anyone who books a place on the bus will get access to the bar in the Westmarch Suite, which will open from 11:00am with the bus departing at 12:45pm for Edinburgh.

Tickets for the bus are £8 each and they are now available for purchase from the St Mirren Reception.

Travel Clubs: Hibernian (6th May)

This coming Saturday afternoon (6th May), St Mirren head east along the M8 to Edinburgh to face Hibernian in a Ladbrokes Championship match-up at Easter Road Stadium.

The latest info we have on Travel Clubs heading to Easter Road Stadium for the match is as follows:

Cockles Wilson Supporters Bus

The bus for Easter Road will leave at 1:00pm.

Bus tickets are now available in The Bankhouse.


Chivas Travel Club

The bus for the Hibs game will leave from The Court Bar at 1:00pm.

Tickets for this bus are now on sale from The Court Bar.


North End Travel Club

The North End Travel Club bus to the Hibs game will leave the Sneddon at 12:30pm.

The bus is now fully booked.


Tile Bar Supporters Bus

The bus for Easter Road will leave Abercorn Street at 12:30pm.

Our bus for this game is now sold out.

Gallery: St Mirren 5-0 Raith Rovers

A gallery of pictures from yesterday's fantastic five goal triumph over Raith Rovers at the Paisley 2021 Stadium. 

Stevie Mallan was the hat-trick hero as Rory Loy and Lewis Morgan also picked up goals in the win that means Saints can't finish bottom.

Match gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography and  John Millar - © millarpictures

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Reaction: Jack Ross on the win over Raith Rovers

Jack Ross gives his thoughts on the stunning 5-0 win over Raith Rovers that ensures the Buddies can't finish bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship. 

St Mirren Starting XI: Saints Unchanged

Jack Ross names the same starting eleven that lost narrowly to Dundee United last week.

Rory Loy leads the line upfront, while Lewis Morgan, who scored in the last fixture against Raith in Paisley, starts again after returning from the injury he sustained against Ayr United. 

We'll have all the action covered on our Twitter and Facebook pages. 

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, MacKenzie, Baird, Eckersley, Magennis, Mallan, McGinn, Morgan, Smith, Loy
Subs: Langfield, Stelios, Webster, Quinn, Sutton, Fjelde, Todd.

Match Report: St Mirren 5-0 Raith Rovers

St Mirren took a huge step towards securing their Ladbrokes Championship status with a thumping win over Raith Rovers.

Jack Ross' side were in sensational form as a Stevie Mallan hat-trick helped inspire the Buddies on to a fantastic five goal in front of a near 5,000 strong crowd at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

It was the biggest ever winning margin for a Saints side at the Paisley 2021 Stadium and means that the side can't finish bottom of the league. 

The hosts looked in the mood from the start and had two half-hearted appeals for penalties after Gary MacKenzie and Rory Loy went down under challenges inside the box. 

Saints had a number of early corners and free kicks but it would take until just before the half hour mark to go ahead. Jean Mvoto failed to get a strong enough head to a clearance allowing Kyle Magennis to flick the ball down the right channel to Cammy Smith. The loanee sprung the offside trap and raced to the byline before picking out the onrushing Mallan who sent St Mirren ahead with a neat finish from six yards out. It was no more than Saints deserved after a good start to the match and got the Paisley 2021 Stadium rocking.

The Buddies were in control and Lewis Morgan almost got his 10th goal of the season when he cracked an effort towards the near post only to be denied by a good save from Pavol Penksa. 

And Morgan was involved as Saints doubled their lead with five minutes to go until half time. Captain Stephen McGinn was felled outside the box, winning St Mirren a free-kick in 'Mallan Territory'. Morgan shaped for the shot, but ran over the ball allowing Mallan to lash towards goal. The midfielder's effort was aimed towards Penksa's near post but it came off Declan McManus and ended up in the back of the net.

Half Time: St Mirren 2-0 Raith Rovers

The Buddies didn't waste any time in adding to their lead in the second half. Less than three minutes after the break, Rory Loy bundled the ball home to put Saints three ahead. Mallan whipped a corner onto the head of the diving in Gary MacKenzie who forced it goalward before Loy touched home in amongst a ruck of players. 

Saints were rampant and both Mallan and Morgan went close with the former forcing Penksa into a smart stop and the latter sending an effort just over the bar. 

Mallan wasn't to be denied his hat-trick though and he grabbed it in the most spectacular of fashions on the hour mark. The 21 year-old played a neat one-two with Loy before bending it into the top corner from around 30 yards. It was an utterly sublime effort from a tremendously talented player and would likely have been a shoo-in for goal of the season if the voting wasn't set to close already. 

There was no let up from Saints and Morgan thought he'd put the Buddies 5-0 up minutes later when he finished neatly. However, the linesman's flag was up as he adjudged the winner was just offside from Smith's pass through.  

But Morgan wasn't to be denied that 10th of the season as he scored with only a few minutes remaining. A long ball from Billy O'Brien was flicked on to Smith by substitute Stelios. Smith touched it on to Mallan who played the most sublime ball over the top of the Raith defenders to find Morgan. The young winger rattled the ball first time to secure a fantastic fifth for the Buddies.

Jack Ross' side now go to Easter Road knowing that a win will definitely see them avoid a play-off spot while a draw will likely be enough for the Buddies to retain their Championship status.

FULL TIME: St Mirren 5-0 Raith Rovers

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie (Webster 85), Eckersley, Magennis (Quinn 80), McGinn, Mallan, Morgan, Smith (Stelios 76), Loy
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Stelios, Quinn, Sutton, Fjelde, Todd, Webster

Raith Rovers: Penksa, Thompson, Thomson, M'Voto, McHattie, Skacel (Hardie 53), C.Barr, Johnston (Stewart 53), B.Barr (Court 53), Handling, McManus
Subs Not Used: Brennan, Roberts, Court, Stewart, Hardie, Benedictus

Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Joseph Lawson
Assistant Referee: Barry Reid

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