Scottish Premiership: John Collins backs Tommy Craig to get it right at St Mirren
Friday 26 September 2014 19:23, UK
Celtic assistant boss John Collins says under-fire St Mirren boss Tommy Craig will turn things around after struggling since taking the helm at the Paisley club.
Craig, 63, stepped up from his role as assistant to replace Danny Lennon as St Mirren boss but a record of just one win and five defeats from the team's opening six SPL games has left them in 11th place in the table.
Collins has a long history with Craig, having been coached by him at Hibernian and Celtic during his playing days before appointing him as his assistant at both Hibs and Charleroi.
"Tommy was my best ever coach growing up so I have huge respect for him as a coach and as a person," said Collins, ahead of Saturday's Sky Live meeting between the two sides.
"He is a father figure to me and I always look up to him on and off the pitch. I had him when I was 17, 18, 19 and had him at Celtic when I came here as a player. He is my kind of coach and I learned a lot as a coach from him."
St Mirren lost to Partick Thistle in the League Cup during the week to increase the pressure on Craig, but Collins offered his old mentor his full support.
He said: "He has had a tough start to the season, we know that. He lost players and brought new players in. He has a small budget as well so it was never going to be easy.
"But he will have them organised and fighting for their lives. At St Mirren it is all about survival in the Premiership, that's the reality and I am sure given time he will get them winning games and going up the table. Given time Tommy will do a good job there."
Celtic have dropped seven points already this season but Collins, part of new manager Ronny Deila's backroom staff, said it will take time for the team to click.
"Consistency is the target," he said. "We finished the game very well against Hearts. We looked stronger and fitter and we will be looking for the same on Saturday.
"It is about getting quality performances every week but it takes time. We are not magicians."
