ST Mirren manager Oran Kearney has denied his side have a problem with diving – despite having players booked for simulation in three of their last four matches.
Striker Simeon Jackson was the latest to pick up a yellow card for tumbling in the box in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Dundee, with both the player and his manager admitting referee Bobby Madden had called that one correct.
Midfielder Ryan Edwards and forward Danny Mullen were also booked for perceived simulation in recent matches against Motherwell and St Johnstone respectively, but Kearney believes there is a big difference between players going down after expecting contact and diving.
He said: “I wouldn’t have any grave concerns about my players and simulation at this point in time. There’s flat-out diving where you’re trying to gain an advantage, and then there’s others where you’re expecting contact so you’ve maybe changed direction or shimmied and the contact hasn’t come.
“Quite often these things are like buses; you get one booking then maybe another one or two follow and more tends to get made of it. It’s certainly not something I’ve had cause to speak to the players about.
“The one on Saturday with Simeon probably was simulation so it was a good call by the referee. I don’t think Simeon was trying to cheat or gain an unfair advantage. It was more that he was expecting the contact. But the referee called it right and gave the free-kick the right way. So you have to give him credit for that.”
Saints were promoted to the Ladbrokes Premiership after finishing 12 points ahead of Livingston who came up through the play-offs. Despite that gulf, it is the West Lothian side who have made the far brighter start to life in the top division.
Kearney admits his side’s play needs to “evolve” to better cope with the demands of the league.
He added: “I wasn’t here last year but it sounds like even in the Championship Livingston were better built to be a Premiership side given their size, physicality and organisation.
“They’re maybe better suited to this league than we are at this moment. St Mirren last year were maybe better suited to the Championship given how they played in that division. That has to evolve from our side of things but it will take time.
“Football is all about results so full credit to Livingston, they’ve picked up quite a few points this season. Anyone in football can decide what they like or don’t like – the important thing is that they are getting results and that’s all that really matters.”
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