After 10 games, the team who finished bottom of the top flight last term have picked up 24 points from 30 and are six points clear of Partick Thistle in second, albeit the Glasgow side have a game in hand. They're yet to lose a league game this season and, while Valakari won't want to get carried away, fans can take confidence knowing they're in a better position now than last year's winners Falkirk were at this point in the season.
"I'm certain it'll be a day he'll never forget," Popovic said of Balard. "[There were] a lot of young boys out there today who got their opportunity. It was nice to get the winner in that way. We got the win and a lot of boys got an experience of a lifetime. The first half, we found a little bit difficult, but we got there."