Robinson’s first match as St Mirren coach led to a lack of hearts

Robinson's first match as St Mirren coach ended in a loss of hearts

Hearts returned to successful methods within the Premier League with a 2-0 win over 10-man St Mirren to spoil Stephen Robinson’s first sport as Buddies coach.

Jim Goodwin’s successor watched midfielder Conor Ronan obtained a straight pink card within the twenty third minute by referee Greg Aitken after a powerful sort out on Benny Banningim.

Guests Robbie Nelson, who went into the sport with three successive league defeats, finally took benefit of the additional man as substitute Ellis Sims, on mortgage from Everton, opened the scoring within the sixty fourth minute earlier than midfielder Cammy Devlin added the second by three minutes. Later.

These three factors have been welcome for third-placed Gambos because the hosts suffered a primary defeat on 9 factors, although former Motherwell coach Robinson will surprise what would have occurred had his facet saved 11 gamers on the sector.

Searching for a return to the sport, Nelson has introduced Craig Gordon, Banningham, Ben Woodburn, Liam Boyce, Gary McKay Stephen and Craig Halkett again to the squad, the latter returning after a six-game absence with a hamstring damage.

In contrast, Robinson selected the identical St. Mirren group that began in Livingston final week, the place defender Charles Dunn was in a position to play after his pink card within the 1-1 draw was lowered to yellow.

Robinson was applauded by the house group’s followers earlier than kick-off, however was saved by Boyce with an early header by Saints goalkeeper Jack Alnwick.

The match noticed a flip round halfway by way of the primary half when a problem from Ronan, on mortgage from Wolverhampton, left Gambus midfielder Banningemi kneeling, and Aitken issued his pink card to anger the group’s followers.

St Mirren compelled two actually menacing kicks for the primary time as Boyce needed to clear a vital break amid a stampede and there was a penalty kick when striker Alex Greve fell within the penalty space from a Woodburn problem.

Aitken was unimpressed as Buddies followers howled their displeasure that shortly turned to aid when Boyce misjudged Mackay-Steven by simply eight yards.

Alnwick made an outstanding save from Boyce within the 52nd minute when he left the striker with solely the keeper to beat Barry McKay’s cross and the next melee because the Hearts gamers finally tried to drive the ball by way of with a purpose kick.

Nelson then made a three-way substitution with Alex Cochrane, Sims and Josh Genley rather than McKay Stephen, Woodburn and Nathaniel Atkinson.

Because the friends pressed in with a renewed purpose, it was Sims, from McKay’s cross, who lastly acquired the ball residence on the second try after Alnwick made the primary save.

Moments later, Boyce practically fired the ball previous Alnwick from yards, however Hearts took second when Devlin hit the web from 16 yards after leaving the St. Mirren keeper on the bottom following Genley’s frustration, and resumed it after receiving remedy.

Within the seventy fifth minute, Sims virtually acquired his second purpose with a shot that Alnwick missed from over the crossbar for a nook that he collected simply, however the injury was finished.

To their credit score, Saint Mirren saved combating away however the process was too daunting.

What did the managers say…

Head of Saint Mirren Stephen Robinson He mentioned: “The entire sport was dictated by choices right now sadly. Nothing appears to have modified since I missed it.

The second purpose, Jack insists he has the ball in his arms. He insists the ball is in full management. The large participant passes, he follows by way of and the ball bounces free.

“I feel everybody was stunned to not hear the whistle, together with the fourth official,” he advised me.

“The penalty kick to Alex, once more, seemed like a blatant penalty and the boy had a yellow card.

“The pink card within the first half utterly modified the sport, proper or mistaken, I nonetheless have not seen the choice but, however there does not appear to be a lot grudge in that.

“He did not know the place the ball was as a result of he turns right into a participant so it is a debatable one however sadly our choices have been made right now.

“I’ll have a look at the pink card clearly to see whether it is value interesting in opposition to. In soccer you may management sure issues, you may’t management the referee’s decision-making. Possibly it is higher to say no extra.”

Hearts Boss Robbie Nelson He mentioned: “The pink card made a distinction within the sport however earlier than that I assumed we have been enjoying nicely anyway.

“The referee made the important thing choices proper. We noticed the interference on TV and it is a pink card in opposition to a rock wall. It is not malicious however the boy handed the ball.

“For the penalty, the participant jumped on the problem and seemed for it. I do know Stephen would in all probability see it otherwise.

“For our second purpose, it’s important to problem for it. The goalkeeper dives at his ft and so they meet however I do not see an issue with that.”

After three consecutive league defeats, three factors have been welcome for Gambos and Nelson famous the return of some key gamers.

He mentioned, “The subs made a distinction for us. We do not have an important group, we have gone with high quality over amount.

“At this time, (Craig) Gordon, (Craig) Halkett, Benny Banyim and (Liam) Boyce are again.

“That is the spine of our squad, actually skilled gamers and our greatest efficiency this season.

“It permits us to have high quality like Simms and (Josh) Ginnelly off the bench. So I am proud of the entire group.”

What then?

St Mirren journey to Celtic, whereas Hearts host Aberdeen, with each Scottish Premier League video games kicking off at 7.45pm on Wednesday.