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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Curtis Main on growing St Mirren ambitions and Stephen Robinson relationship

Expectant chants demanding European football come next season are not out of place at Tynecastle - but they're not often booming from the away allocation.

However, with St Mirren's 2-0 toppling of Hearts - in Robbie Neilson's final match in charge before being sacked - the Paisley fan base are dreaming of a continental adventure.

The Buddies sit just three points off third-place Aberdeen and a point behind Hearts in fourth with two matches left before the split.

But Main is reluctant to look any further ahead than a top-half finish until it's mathematically secured. That's not to say he lacks any belief in a possible stunning best-of-the-rest finish.

"Well, the goal was to finish in the top six - that was what we set out," he said when asked if third spot is a realistic possibility.

"That's what we believe we're more than capable of doing. There's still obviously a lot of football to be played and we've got a couple of tough fixtures before now and the end of the split.

"We'll just take it one game at a time. Next week [against Rangers] is going be tough. 

"We just try and put as many points on the board as we can. Today is a real statement of intent from the group."

The beaming travelling St Mirren support at Tynecastle serenaded their heroes with chants suggesting they're headed for the Europa League. But Main insisted there's no time for dreaming just yet.

He said: “I wouldn't get ahead of myself just yet.  

“There's still a lot of football to be played. Initially we need to try and cement our top six place and then after that, I think we could maybe look further along the line.  

“But we don't want to get too carried away with two massive games starting with next week going to Ibrox.  

“It's something we need to prepare for properly and not think anything's done because it's not.  

“There are still six points up for grabs for most teams. We just reset now enjoy the weekend, but ready to work again next week. "

It had been ten years since the last time St Mirren triumphed at Tynecastle before Main and Gogic earned victory in the capital on Saturday.

For Main, it's just another sign of the progress made at the club and the belief within the dressing room.

“Obviously, everyone's everyone's buzzing," he said after the win. "It's a really good three points there's no denying that.  

“That's what we came here to do. It's two more games to go, so you know this one is going to be important. Everyone is delighted we could come and do what we set out to do.”

“I mean it shows probably where we're at just now and the belief that's in the dressing room.  

“Like I said, we came here with a job and we really felt like we could come and get three points and top performance and we've managed to do that. Credit to everyone.” 

Main has been an integral player for Robinson since his arrival last year. It's hard to recall the period when Main was little more than a substitute for the Paisley outfit, now Robinson is trying to tie him down on a new deal with suitors expected in the summer.

“It’s certainly up there," said Main when asked if he in the best period of his career.

“I felt in the game, especially second half, we were just able to impose ourselves a bit more on the game. 

"The first half was a bit cagey and nothing really happened, it wasn’t great first half but 0-0 away from home at half time, that’s absolutely fine. 

“And then second half, words in the dressing room was just about little adjustments, what we needed to do and I think you saw the difference in the second half. 

“I know we got the goal early but even just the intent was there to go out and really try and take over the game and it was something we were able to do. 

“The first goal sets the tone, it was a great strike and straight after that to get the second one and really impose ourselves after that.

"I'm obviously taking confidence from that, I know the manager trusts me - that's why I play, and he knows what he gets week in week out.  

“Whether that’s putting the ball in the back of the net or everything else that comes along with my game.  

“I feel like I'm in good form, just complementing the team. I think everyone's in pretty good form and like I say, there's a real belief in the squad. So everyone's pushing each other."

The strong relationship between Main and Robinson has no doubt brought the best out of Main, but it also allows the pair to be brutally honest with each other.

Robinson had been disappointed with Main's first 20 minutes at Tynecastle and was quick to let the striker know of his high expectations. And Main responded with his performance.

"Why do you hear him?," said Main of Robinson's disappointment in the early stages. 

"To be honest, it could have been 3-0 up and he still would have done that.  

“We've got a good relationship and I think there was there was a lot more in us after the first half and we all knew that.  

“We came out and we showed probably why sometimes he might get frustrated because he knows that there are extra gears in the team. So yeah, there's no issues there."

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