St Mirren travel to Edinburgh tomorrow looking to secure their Ladbrokes Championship status as they face Hibernian at Easter Road.
The hosts have already won the Ladbrokes Championship, landing it on 15 April thanks to their win over Queen of the South and a helping hand from the Buddies who drew 2-2 with Falkirk. Tomorrow sees the Hibees presented with the title in front of a near sold out Easter Road. Nearly 2000 Saints supporters are expected in the capital tomorrow to cheer on their side.
The Buddies take on Neil Lennon's side knowing that a win or draw mean the Saints will be playing their football in the Championship next season.
The first meeting of the two came in Paisley back in August with Jason Cummings at the double helping the visitors win 2-0.
St Mirren would come out on top when the sides met again in October, this time at Easter Road in the IRN-BRU Cup, with goals from Stevie Mallan and David Clarkson seeing the Buddies overcome Hibs 2-1 after Alex Harris had given the home side the lead.
Hibernian would gain a measure of revenge three weeks later when Saints made the trip through to Edinburgh again. Jack Ross was now in situ as manager, but it wasn't enough to prevent a home win with first half goals from Martin Boyle and Grant Holt doing the damage.
It's been a long road to this point with St Mirren rooted to the bottom the last time the two sides met. Jack Ross and his players welcomed Hibernian to the Paisley 2021 Stadium a little over two months ago sitting eight point adrift at the foot of the table. A double from Cypriot full back Stelios Demetriou secured a 2-0 win for the home side, cutting the gap to just five points and Saints haven't looked back since.
The Buddies have won five of their last 10 league matches since that win with the 5-0 triumph over Raith Rovers last weekend ensuring that the Buddies can't finish bottom of the table. Meanwhile, Hibs defeated bottom Ayr United 4-0 at Somerset Park meaning that the Honest Men have to defeat ninth placed Raith by 5-0 or more to avoid automatic relegation. Anything other than a Raith win will mean that St Mirren will avoid the play-offs regardless of the result at Easter Road.
A long season for the Saints could be set to come to an end tomorrow. However, if results go against St Mirren it will mean a play-off place against the team that finishes fourth in League One, with the first leg taking place on Wednesday night. One last push required, come on you saints!
