St Mirren 1-0 Aberdeen: Connor Ronan strike enough for St Mirren to see off Aberdeen

Match report and highlights as St Mirren edge closer to the Scottish Premiership's top six; Jim Goodwin's side win for the third time in 2022 thanks to Connor Ronan's strike; Aberdeen unable to find a way past their hosts

Highlights of the Scottish Premiership match between St Mirren and Aberdeen

Connor Ronan's second-half strike moved St Mirren three points behind opponents Aberdeen, beating the Dons 1-0 in the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday.

Ronan curled home from 16 yards in the 61st minute to earn the Buddies a 1-0 victory and put them within one win of the Scottish Premiership’s top six.

It was a third victory of 2022 for Jim Goodwin’s side, but their first in Paisley since Ronan scored a double against the Dons four months ago.

Ronan’s goal was the bright spot of a game lacking in goalmouth action and Aberdeen never threatened an equaliser.

Jamie McGrath was restored to St Mirren’s starting line-up after missing two games because he had been affected by transfer speculation. Aberdeen had midfielder Dean Campbell deputising for the injured Jonny Hayes at left-back.

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The hosts started well and Marcus Fraser and Greg Kiltie threatened but neither could hit the target. Aberdeen improved in possession but could not make any inroads in the final third.

Lewis Ferguson did come close for the visitors from long range when space opened up for the midfielder to drive forward. He unleashed a left-footed strike from 25 yards which curled just away from the top corner.

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Image: Aberdeen were unable to find a way past St Mirren

The only time a goalkeeper was called into meaningful first-half action was when Calvin Ramsay’s cross was too close to Jak Alnwick and the Saints number one palmed the ball behind.

The players went down the tunnel to the strains of Orange Juice’s ‘Rip it up and start again’ and the Dons fans were given some encouragement that the game might come alive just after the break.

Scott Brown swept a first-time shot just over from 18 yards before seeing an effort cleared off the line by Charles Dunne after Alnwick missed Campbell’s deep cross.

The game came to life in St Mirren’s first decent attack of the second half. Kiltie’s square ball was behind Ronan but Ramsay was slow to close down the on-loan Wolves midfielder and he turned and curled the ball inside the far post for his fourth goal for St Mirren.

The Dons brought on Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Connor McLennan and Matty Kennedy but they barely got in the St Mirren box in the final half hour and the visiting fans vented their frustration during and after the match.

What the managers said

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin: "It was a brilliant goal. In the first half of the season we found ourselves on the wrong end of those types of games.

"At half-time with the way the game was going I thought it would take something special and I'm pleased Connor came up with a bit of magic.

"It was another quality goal and I think he can go again. He's not the finished article - there's still room for improvement.

"Jamie McGrath has had that international recognition and Connor is capable of doing the same.

"The FAI are well aware of the quality he has and he just needs to keep doing that.

"If he continues with performances and goals like that - it will be shown over social media and on TV - and no doubt Stephen Kenny will see it."

Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass: "It wasn't good enough - the creativity in the final third wasn't good enough.

"It was a poor performance. One moment of quality wins it for St Mirren and it's disappointing with the possession we had that one of our players didn't do it.

"In the first half we were the ones asked to make the running and didn't do enough with the possession.

"Second half we gave away a cheap goal from our point of view. It was a brilliant finish but we didn't do enough to threaten and you get what you get."

What's next?

St Mirren travel to Dundee in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday. Aberdeen host St Johnstone on the same day with both games kicking off at 3pm.

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