Alex Gogic volley. 1-1. St Mirren through in the end. Match report done. Let’s talk about penalties.
Few in the loyal cohort of following the Buddies will have forgotten Mark O’Hara’s relentless first year in black and white. The now-club-captain was instantly installed on spot-kick duties and repaid that decision over and over again.
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Since then, however, penalties have been a source of stress in Renfrewshire. Since missing two in a fortnight at the end of 2023, O’Hara has not been the go-to. Greg Kiltie, Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya all had opportunities to nail down the role before being denied. This uncertainty has resulted in a conversation rate hovering around the two thirds to three quarters mark, in a side which often can’t afford to pass up the advantage.
Last season, in a situation so comparable that you could accuse me of starting from here and constructing the rest of the column around it, the Jam Tarts culled our Scottish Cup run in a shoot-out at the SMiSA Stadium. These penalties came at the end of a 1-1 draw, devastating the Saints who had led for much of the tie. See? Spooky.
On that night, Oisin Smyth followed up a composed Boxing Day penalty, crucial to turning over Rangers, by missing the opening Saints effort. James Scott, never quite capturing his moment in Saints colours, missed the following attempt and the away side walked it in from there.
The 25/26 St Mirren side appear to be a different animal. Roland Idowu, so composed when called upon twice last season, could quite rightly have expected to have taken official penalty taking duties along with his new number seven shirt as a permanent Buddie. Delegated the third Saints penalty in Saturday’s shoot out – the Irishman made no mistake yet again and preserved his 100 per cent record.
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Malik Dijksteel and Marcus Fraser, though probably not seeking top-billing of regular duties, did all that was asked with a remarkable lack of fuss.
Evan Mooney, still only 17 but growing his reputation gradually, scored his penalty in that previous Hearts defeat. The teenage prospect grasped the opportunity yet again and dispatched what was probably the pick of all ten penalties taken on the day. Ice in the veins and talent in his feet, surely he has nailed down that responsibility when on the park?
Ladies and gentlemen, Richard King. The Jamaican international has slotted in comfortably to the Saints’ back three, showing the same confidence and composure exuded by the now departed Richard Taylor. The centre-half, based on his previous effort from the spot against Annan, would appear to have been handed the baton. Two taken, two scored, both perfect.
The Buddies have now scored seven penalties in a row, dating back to March. With King, Idowu, Mooney and more to call upon – that run may well get longer and longer.
Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters
