St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has told his players to embrace the challenge of a top six push as Saints head into the final eight games before the split.
Expectations have risen at the club after two consecutive top six finishes and the manager says things are positive in the Saints camp with his side sitting just one point off sixth place in the William Hill Premiership.
But Robinson insists there's nothing to lose for his Buddies and they should enjoy the opportunity available to them over the next eight matches.
Embracing the challenge
"There’s no pressure on us," the manager told the media.
If St Mirren get in the top six three years in a row, then I’ve told all the staff, I’m going to make statues of them. It is that big an achievement to do that three years in a row. So we’ve absolutely nothing to lose.
"We’re in a really good position. This can still be a fantastic season.
"As I say, if we were able to get top six three years in a row, then it would be an incredible achievement for this group of players. They’ve been there. They’ve played under the pressure. But this isn’t pressure. I’ve reiterated this to all the players.
"This is not pressure. Pressure is when you’re fighting for your life to stay up, you’re in a play-off in the last game of the season to keep people in their jobs.
This is the bit you go and enjoy, enjoy trying to look up a league, enjoy beating teams that people expect you to lose to, and go and get the results. We haven’t got the results. We’ve got performances over the last month without picking up the amount of results we should have done.
"We’re limiting teams to very, very few opportunities against us and getting punished for one goal, so that luck can’t keep being there all the time. Something has to go in our favour, and if we keep getting into areas, things will turn our way."
Confident Opponent
Saints have faced Hibernian twice this and came out on the winning side on both occasions. But on Sunday, the Buddies face a confident opponent with David Gray's men on an 11 match unbeaten run.
However, the manager believes that a similar performance from Monday night will give his side an a good opportunity to pick up three points.
"It was a while ago that we played Hibs and they are on a fantastic run now. David has done a really good job in turning the form around so we have to be prepared.
"They've not changed personnel massively, but they're confident. They're a side that is going into the game against us with confidence.
If we put in the performance that we did against Hearts on Monday night then we have a very good chance of winning the game."
Squad Update
The manager also gave an update on the squad. It's likely to be as you were from Monday night with Conor McMenamin remaining out, while Alex Iacovitti and Scott Tanser are also doubts.
"We'll still be without Conor. He's still a good few weeks away. Alex is back in training, but had a slight little setback last week so we're hoping by Monday he'll be join in properly.
"Scott Tanser had an epidural. He's not trained all week so I'm not sure whether he will be available or not."
