Ayunga hoping Saints can bounce back after first back-to-back defeats this season
The 26-year-old striker is hopeful the squad can get back to winning ways when they play St Johnstone tomorrow.
by Colin Paterson, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/colin-paterson/ · Daily RecordJonah Ayunga is eyeing up a crucial double-header after St Mirren came up short at Ibrox.
The Buddies suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season as Abdallah Sima’s brace earned Rangers a 2-0 victory on Sunday.
Saints were hoping to surprise the Light Blues following last Tuesday night’s narrow loss at Ross County – but despite a hard-working showing, Stephen Robinson’s men were unable to produce enough quality in the final third to make the difference.
Now the Paisley side will aim to get back on track with a trip to St Johnstone tomorrow night before the visit of County this weekend.
Ayunga said: “It was nice coming out but, when you get that feeling after losing a game, it’s painful and annoying.
“The boys have come in disappointed because the performance was a lot better than up at Ross County.
“We had some good opportunities but the goals we gave away were disappointing for us.
“The games against St Johnstone and Ross County are huge games.
“We came here and we wanted to get what we could out of the game.
“But obviously the next one’s massive for us and we need to win those two.”
Ayunga has got plenty of minutes in the tank after returning having spent most of this year sidelined with a ruptured ACL.
The 26-year-old striker played an hour of the 1-0 win at home to Livingston before getting half of that time at County and another 72 minutes against Gers.
“It felt like I was working well,” he said of his display at Ibrox. “It felt like I could trust my body – just getting into it feeling sharper and fitter. I felt good.
“I was happy to get 70 minutes under my belt and it’s another step in the right direction.
“I’ve been training for weeks in the gym and doing everything. But there’s nothing that’s going to replicate centre-backs coming at you full force.
“So, just getting the games I have – getting the 70 minutes against Rangers – was good.
“You don’t come back and it’s like ticked off. You feel it and I’m still doing stuff in the gym, doing extra every day, still trying to keep on top of it – which I probably will have to do for the rest of the season.”
Meanwhile, Ayunga revealed he and his Buddies will have Ryan Strain’s back as the highly-rated Australian international was set to undergo groin surgery yesterday which will keep him out for three months.
The big forward added: “It’s his first serious injury and first operation. All the boys have got around him.
“I think he’s going in [on Monday] so everyone will speak to him beforehand and he knows that, when he comes back, everyone will be buzzing for it.”
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