Numbers already adding up for McLeish and St Mirren

[BBC] When sociologist Alvin Gouldner wrote in 1955 that "human action can be rendered meaningful only by relating it to the contexts in which it takes place," I'm confident he had the opening two weekends of the 2026-2027 Scottish Premiership in mind. Context is everything, pulling in multiple directions. In Falkirk, bruised by key player departures in the transfer window, St Mirren were presented with an opening away fixture that could have been worse. In facing St Johnstone, freshly promoted yet leaning heavily on those that sealed the Championship, as an opening home opponent, the Saints were smiled on by an algorithm that last year had totaalvoetbal pioneers Motherwell visit in the same weekend. Yet, in presenting these favourable arguments there was also danger. Harsher assignments may well have lower chances of success, but greater opportunity for confounding expectations. A late 1-0 loss to Celtic on opening day in Glasgow last year resulted in no points, but indisputable proof this was another iteration of Stephen Robinson's St Mirren capable of battling richer opponents to the very last. A 1-0 loss to Falkirk or St Johnstone this season as a rookie manager seeks to establish himself and his ideas... chaos. In balancing not getting carried away with making sure appropriate credit is given for two hard-earned victories, it is the details that matter. Two league wins from two for Craig McLeish and his side. Two clean sheets. Two penalties, one saved, and one scored. Three league goals for Killian Phillips already, relishing life as a 10. Eight league debuts. Three young Scots (possibly four) in starring roles. Six and a half thousand Buddies being treated to full-blooded, front-footed, head-up football from a youthful squad with more to come. Thirty-six games to go. Mark Jardine can be found at Misery Hunters