Craig McLeish has acknowledged the persistent pressure on his St Mirren side as they prepare for another Premiership test against Rangers this weekend. The Paisley side, sitting fourth in the table with 10 points from six games, travel to Ibrox looking to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat in the same fixture just days ago.
McLeish on pressure and progress
Speaking ahead of the match, the August manager of the month offered a candid assessment of his team's situation. "I don't think that ever lifts until you've got a trophy in your hand," McLeish said, addressing the expectations surrounding his team's strong start. He also expressed confidence in the squad's rapid integration, stating, "I'm not surprised it's come together so quickly - I get that from the outside it might look like that." This self-assurance comes despite a recent dip in form, with St Mirren's last five results reading one win, one draw, and three defeats.
The team will be without Paul Nsio for the trip to Glasgow, as he is ineligible to face his parent club. They also continue to manage a significant injury list that includes Keanu Baccus, Liam Donnelly, and Malik Dijksteel. These absences present a challenge against a Rangers side that has won the last two league meetings by a single goal, though St Mirren had previously enjoyed a four-game unbeaten run in the fixture.
Recent encounters and context
The most recent clash, on September 9th, was decided by a Bojan Miovski goal in stoppage time for Rangers. That result extended a difficult spell for McLeish's men, who followed it with a 2-1 home loss to Celtic where N. Agrafiotis scored a penalty. Their last victory was a 1-0 win at Kilmarnock at the start of the month. The team's current league standing, eight points behind leaders Celtic, reflects a solid if inconsistent opening to the campaign.
Rangers, for their part, have a perfect domestic record this season and will be buoyed by new signings like James Penrice, who scored on his debut. However, the Ibrox outfit dropped points in their first two league games and suffered European elimination, adding a layer of intensity to their pursuit of domestic success. The two rivals are also set to meet in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals at Ibrox on Sunday.
Looking ahead
For St Mirren, the immediate focus is on halting a two-game losing streak and finding a way past a Rangers defence that has found stability. The Paisley side had the run of midfield in a cup tie last month, a platform they will aim to replicate. After this weekend's challenge, attention turns to the final fixture of the year, an away trip to face eighth-placed Hibernian on December 30th. Fans can track the team's schedule and league position on our fixtures and standings pages.
The match represents a significant hurdle in St Mirren's quest to solidify their top-four credentials. McLeish's admission that pressure is a constant companion shows the heightened ambitions around the club this season, ambitions that will be tested once more at Ibrox.
