St Mirren manager Jack Ross reckons his side are riding a wave of optimism after they opened their league campaign with a 3-1 victory over Falkirk on Saturday.

There was an inescapable feel-good factor around the Paisley 2021 Stadium ahead of the Championship curtain-raiser, and why not? At the turn of the year St Mirren fans could have been forgiven for thinking their side would now be adjusting to life in League One, such was the disastrous nature of their late 2016 form.

Former Saints player Ross committed his future to the club on Friday and fans responded by unfurling a banner proclaiming ‘the fight is on’ before kick-off at the weekend.

It was a rallying cry which was soundly answered by Saints as they recovered from an early set-back to dispatch ten-man Falkirk.

“I spoke beforehand about the fact that we finished the season so well and had a mood of optimism around the club,” a victorious Ross said.

“Nothing is decided today but it’s nice to keep that feeling going, there’s a different vibe within the stadium so long may that continue.

“We didn’t start the game well and Craig Samson’s had to make some saves in the first twenty minutes.

“We managed to get through that period only conceding one goal and thereafter I thought we got a foothold and post-equaliser we were good.”

Despite the shaky beginning, St Mirren looked vibrant in attack and Ross re-iterated his confidence in the side’s ability going forward.

He added: “I think we will always threaten to score goals in this league because of what we have in forward areas and the way we play, it’s then trying to be defensively secure.

“There’s still a lot for us to work on but it was a really pleasing opening game against a good team.”

It was perhaps fitting that upon renewal of their Championship status that St Mirren produced a performance which mirrored last year’s dramatic campaign.

The Paisley side made the worst possible start but duly recovered to lay down a marker ahead of next week’s clash with rivals Greenock Morton.

Gavin Reilly starred for the Buddies as they cancelled out Nathan Austin’s with goals from Stelios Demetriou, Cammy Smith and from Reilly himself.

There were flashpoints throughout as Aaron Muirhead saw red for a flailing elbow on Demetriou, joining St Mirren assistant James Fowler and Bairns goalkeeping coach Derek Jackson in the stands. Ross, however, was quick to laugh off the dugout incident.

“I think James has taken a second-prize on that one,” the Paisley boss joked. “It happens in the heat of the moment, I’ve been involved in things myself in that area – it’s much ado about nothing to be honest.

“We’ll have to see what reports are put in on it afterwards, but it’s probably helped us in the end.”

Falkirk, on the other hand, should have better days this season but manager Peter Houston will be alarmed at his side’s second-half collapse, and when Muirhead’s recklessness earned an instant dismissal, any hope of a recovery was dashed.

“I wouldn’t argue with the red card,” Houston admitted. “At the end of the day you can’t use your elbows and we’ll accept it.

“We played as individuals today, especially in the second half and I think St Mirren deserved to win, I’m not going to dispute that.”