Par excellence
Reilly: Trip to Fife can prove Saints are going to be contenders
starting but can still make an impact off the bench.
“We’ll see where we are in January and if James can get back to anywhere like he was then he’ll have other options. But he is a loyal guy as well and I don’t think he would just jump at the first offer.”
Queens will go top should they pick up three points and the battle between St Mirren and Dunfermline finishes all square.
But Morton have beaten the top two already and boss Jim Duffy said: “We know on our day we can compete with anyone – we’ve shown that with terrific results against the likes of St Mirren and Dunfermline.
“They are flying high and we’ve not just managed to win but also create a good number of chances.
“We’ve also had our off days so what we’ve shown is we have the ability but we have to get that continuity about the team.” GAVIN REILLY insists St Mirren can use their trip to free-scoring Dunfermline as a proving ground for their Premiership ambitions.
But Pars boss Allan Johnston reckons the table-toppers’ desire to have a go will play right into his side’s hands.
Saints striker Reilly aims to haunt his old club when he returns to East End Park today seeking to add to his eight-goal tally.
But this isn’t about proving a point to Dunfermline – it’s about hammering home his new club’s title credentials.
He said: “I firmly believe we have a squad good enough to compete in the Premiership. It’s up to us to prove that and have a season that takes us up there.
“We need to win the league and prove that next season. Our squad is full of players who have vast experience of playing in Scotland’s top flight as well as at a high level down in England.
“It provides us with different options. We have a lot of attacking flair and guys who will create chances.
“Like ourselves, Dunfermline have been scoring goals. But if we can get a result then it’ll be another statement of intent.”
Johnston knows the danger Reilly and his Buddies will pose having signed the striker on loan from Hearts last season.
But he said: “St Mirren will come and have a go, which will suit us as well.
“Hopefully that will leave space to go and attack with our good players, create chances and score goals.
“They have a lot of talent like Lewis Morgan, who makes them tick. I imagine there will be a lot of big clubs looking at him. I brought Gavin here because he is a good player and has a lot of pace.
“I’m sure that after last year not being as successful as he’d hoped he’ll be trying to make an impression. But then I’m sure they’ll not look forward to playing against guys like Joe Cardle with the form he’s in.”