IT was billed as the battle of the boardroom.
But Stewart Gilmour, the St Mirren chairman, last night downplayed his difference of opinion with Dundee chief executive Scot Gardiner and said he hopes the two men can work together in the coming weeks for the good of the game.
Gardiner will attend a meeting of the Irn-Bru First Division clubs tonight at Hamilton Academical's stadium, and his input could yet prove crucial if the Scottish Football League are to persuade top-flight clubs to restore a play-off between Scotland's top two divisions in time for next season. While Gilmour got his way over the collapse of the 12-12-18 plans, which could have given the Dens Park club a badly needed lifeline, on the field there was a last laugh of sorts for Dundee on Saturday as they granted themselves a stay of execution, and left St Mirren fretting about the win they still need to guarantee their Clydesdale Bank Premier League survival.
"Things were fine in the boardroom, just fine," said Gilmour. "We always extend our hand to everyone – that was probably the problem with Charles Green, wasn't it? No, absolutely, it gives me hope that, come the next meetings, there will be some give and take. Life is too short and football is too small a game."
The match ended with the travelling support chanting the name of interim manager John Brown, having won three and lost just one of the seven league matches over which he has presided. The interview process for a permanent appointment begins today –with Billy Reid and Craig Brown two other names mentioned – but Gary Harkins feels John Brown should perhaps retain the role, especially if he can complete mission improbable and overturn their 10-point deficit with four games remaining.
"I don't see any reason why you wouldn't give a manager the job if he was getting the results," said the midfielder, possibly not exactly the type of player expected to flourish under such a supposedly old-school manager. "They are sticking by what they said about doing interviews for the job so if he keeps winning then I am sure he will be one of the favourites. If we were to win the rest of our games then you can't not give him it."
This was a thoroughly merited win for Dundee, who were the better team when it was 11 v 11, then pressed home their advantage following the dismissal of Jim Goodwin for two yellow cards.
The impressive Jim McAlister got things started with a volley, only for Steven Thompson to restore parity with a downward header from a corner seven minutes after half-time. But it was one-way traffic following the dismissal of Goodwin, and substitute Carl Finnigan marked his return from months of injury problems by heading in the winner, which bounced over the goal-line before spinning back out.
In all likelihood, St Mirren will still be fine, but there was a creeping anxiety about the place this weekend. "We do have to be wary," said full-back David van Zanten. "We need to respect them [Dundee]. They have beaten us twice recently. It is disappointing we didn't put it to bed but it is in our hands. We need one win and it is over. We have four games to do that."
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