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On a chilly Saturday, what seemed like the perfect opportunity for St Mirren to climb higher up the Premiership ladder, turned into a day of immense frustration. Facing a Kilmarnock side that hasn’t savoured victory since October and nestled uncomfortably second from bottom, it was predicted to be a walkover. Yet, despite their precarious position, Kilmarnock brought an impenetrable fortress to the pitch, setting up with a staunch low-block defence, ten men behind the ball, the kind of setup that tests the patience and creativity of any team.
St Mirren commanded nearly every facet of the game - possession, territory, and entries into the final third were all ruled by the Buddies. The Saints whipped in forty-seven crosses and took eleven corners. A glance at the post-match heat maps would show a besieged Kilmarnock box, reminiscent of a Jackson Pollock masterpiece - albeit one less celebratory.
Yet, the Kilmarnock wall stood firm. Their defensive discipline, as tight as a drum, left almost no room between their defenders and the goalkeeper. Despite our relentless pressure and methodical play, all attempts to penetrate this barrier were futile. Our usual spark to dissolve such defences seemed dimmed as we reverted to an all-too-familiar pattern of wide crosses, missing the crucial killer passes.
Opportunities to break the deadlock weren’t absent. Dan Nlundulu came agonisingly close, only to be denied by an impressive reactionary save from Kilmarnock's keeper, Oluwayemi. A goal there, and perhaps the narrative shifts, space opens up, and St Mirren breathes more freely.
Chances and structural integrity aside, the draw adds to our unbeaten streak, now stretching to five games, with three clean sheets in tow. This evidences a resilience and growing maturity in game management, steering clear of panic and maintaining composure even under frustrating circumstances.
Looking ahead, Tuesday presents a starkly different challenge against Rangers. Unlike Kilmarnock, Rangers won’t be content simply shielding their turf but will themselves be looking to amend recent stumbles, in front of an expectant Ibrox crowd. But St Mirren marches on with the confidence of champions, carrying the same audacious spirit that saw us outclass Celtic recently. The ghost of past frailties may still haunt, yet it's undeniable that with each passing match, its influence wanes - St Mirren stands firmer, prouder.
As we continue to defy expectations and as our belief grows, let’s not forget a lighthearted jest aimed at our friendly foes from Greenock Morton:
Why don't Greenock Morton fans play hide and seek? Because good luck hiding when everyone knows you never show up to the big games!
