Mikael Mandron insists he has the street smarts to stay on the right side of referees.
The St Mirren striker was substituted barely 20 minutes into the 2-2 Premiership draw with Kilmarnock last month. He was already on a yellow card but had forgotten that fact when he clattered into Stuart Findlay.
There was no early bath for the 29-year-old but boss Stephen Robinson had seen enough and decided to take him off for his and the team’s protection.
Mandron exchanged glances with Robinson as he trudged into the dugout – with the gaffer going over to explain that he had no choice but to act.
The dust has long since settled on that moment and – ahead of Saturday’s visit of Dundee United – Mandron is confident he understands the rules of engagement even when his card has been marked.
He said: “At the time I was disappointed because you obviously never want to come off.
“I also feel like I am experienced and smart enough not to get sent-off. Looking back with a cool head, I’d just been booked and a few minutes later I’ve gone into a challenge that could have been a yellow.
“From the outside, it looks like Mika is out of control. I can understand the (manager’s] decision for sure.
“To be honest, I just forgot that I was on a yellow. I didn’t go in to try and hurt anyone. But as soon as I tackled him and the ref blew the whistle, I remembered and thought, ‘please don’t send me off’.
“I’ve always been calm and cool. I’ve always respected the manager’s decision. If there was something to be said, I’d have waited until after the game. But I didn’t need to as the manager came to me. I’ve never been the type to kick-off at all.”
Saints lost 1-0 to United in the Premier Sports Cup in August but Mandron insists it’s a whole new ball game this time round.
He added: “League games and cup games are just different. We’re confident of being able to put on a much better performance and get the result as well.”
Meanwhile, Brian Kerr says he already feels right at home with St Mirren’s first-team squad. The 42-year-old has been appointed as Stephen Robinson’s assistant manager after Diarmuid O’Carroll left to become Newcastle United’s Under-21s coach.
Kerr said: “It was a smooth transition because I’d been working with the first-team group and the staff for a number of months. So, when the opportunity came up, it was something I wanted to do obviously [and] it felt right.”
Saints – who have appointed former Motherwell defender Peter Hartley as their new head of first-team transition and loan pathways – will be missing Alex Iacovitti, Shaun Rooney, Scott Tanser and Conor McMenamin when United come calling.
Greg Kiltie came on as a late substitute in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Motherwell as he returns to fitness following an ankle injury.
Kerr added: “He’s getting closer and closer. He’s reacted well so he’s another one that we’re looking at closely. He’s had another good week in training and a wee bit of a bounce match at the start of the week.”
United’s form and threat hasn’t gone unnoticed by Kerr who said: “They’re looking like a dangerous side and have proved that in a couple of matches already. We know we need to be on top of our game.”
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