2010 starts exactly the same way as 2009 did - a home game refereed by Alan Muir. This time it's Kilmarnock, rather than Motherwell, who provide the opposition and the game will be at Greenhill Road, not Love Street.

Mr Muir took charge of the last game in our old home almost exactly a year ago, which saw us draw 0-0 with the Steelmen. He did deny Motherwell two pretty clear penalties late on and seemed to freeze on the big occasion - a bit like our players! His only other Saints game to date was on the opening day of the SPL season when we lost 2-1 to Hibs. Steven Thomson was sent off early on and I personally think the decision was correct, even if the player and manager Gus MacPherson didn't.

Mr Muir has done far more games with Kilmarnock - five to be precise. One of those was a win over Saints this season, although it was the Johnstone variety on that occasion. The other Killie game he's done so far this season was a 3-0 defeat at Ibrox.

Last season saw another two Killie games for Mr Muir - a 1-0 win over Motherwell, in which he sent off the Lanarkshire side's Paul Quinn, and a home draw with Falkirk. Soccerbase claims this official's first game was an SPL clash between Kilmarnock and Inverness Caley Thistle in 2008, which Caley won 3-0. I guess he must have reffed a game before then!

Mr Muir is averaging around one red card every three games and sent off two Dundee United players a few weeks ago. Let's hope if he keeps up his record it's not by sending off anyone in black and white stripes.