Kelly ready to get back to business
St Mirren defender Sean Kelly is looking to get back to reality with a long overdue home win after a "surreal" interlude that saw team-mate Jim Goodwin claim a nutmeg against World Cup winner David Villa.
The Buddies went down to a 2-0 friendly defeat on Tuesday to Villa's New York City team in the first game in the American club's history.
But the highlight from a Saints perspective was Goodwin getting his own back on former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid striker Villa moments after the Spaniard had nutmegged him.
Kelly said: "I don't know if he was trying to claim that but I saw him signal one-each on the pitch. But I don't know if you can class it as a nutmeg, he only passed it through his legs. It's not as if he got it round the other side.
"But there was quite a lot said about it afterwards. It was quite funny with the different levels we play at and the different characters.
"He is trying not to claim the credit for it because it was only a pass, but he will take anything that he is given."
The game, at Manchester City's academy stadium, gave Gary Teale's side the chance to sharpen up ahead of the visit of Inverness as they seek a first home win of the Scottish Premiership season.
"It was a bit surreal," 22-year-old Kelly said. "You don't really notice it too much on the pitch but there is hype surrounding it and standing next to a World Cup winner in the tunnel, and someone you have watched and idolised growing up.
"But once you are on the pitch you don't really have a sense of him being on the same pitch. He has more than a bit to give, he won La Liga last season and he is only 32.
"It was a bit of a hectic week with the travelling but it was good to keep ticking over with not having a game last weekend.
"It was a good run-out and got us into gear for the weekend. We will just be looking to improve our home form, but I think you can see since Tealy took over that there has been a lot of improvement in the team."
Saints begin life without Kenny McLean but have Emmanuel Sonupe and Kieran Sadlier aiming to make their debuts from the bench.
Kelly said: "Our loss is Aberdeen's gain because they have got a bargain. He was a massive player for us and one of the most talented players I've seen, especially to go for that kind of money.
"But I'm sure we can cope without him. The likes of John McGinn will step up and take on more leadership in the team."
Meanwhile, Inverness defender Josh Meekings saw no reason to change a good thing when it came to deciding his future.
The 22-year-old signed a new contract on Thursday that commits him to Caley Thistle until the summer of 2017.
The former Ipswich trainee has made more than 130 appearances for the club and feels he will benefit from continuing his development in John Hughes' side, who sit third in the Scottish Premiership ahead of their trip to St Mirren Park.
Meekings said: "The general way we have been playing recently and the run of form we have been on is absolutely fantastic.
"The lads in the dressing room are brilliant and the manager too, everyone is together in this team and I think it definitely shows.
"That's the main thing for me, I want to be happy and the main thing is I am playing. I keep getting the opportunity to play week in, week out and I'm hoping I can improve as well.
"I'm settled up here, I have been here almost four years now, and I didn't see any reason to change that.
"The team is doing well, I feel I'm doing well personally, and I think there's a lot more to come."
Caley Thistle secured 16 points from six games in January and started February with a William Hill Scottish Cup win over Partick Thistle, so Meekings has every justification to feel optimistic ahead of the game in Paisley.
"We are on a good run and we can go into the game with a lot of confidence," he added.
Aaron Doran is set to miss the clash with a groin injury. He is seeking specialist help.
Goalkeeper Dean Brill and captain Richie Foran remain on the sidelines with knee injuries.
Source: PA
