I’LL DROP TALK OF SURVIVAL
BY CRAIG RITCHIE ALAN STUBBS insists he won’t accept talk of “simply surviving” as St Mirren prepare to make their Premiership bow tomorrow.
The Saints have been tipped to struggle on their return to the top flight for the first time since relegation in 2015.
Stubbs took over from Jack Ross earlier this summer after the man who led the Buddies to the Championship title left for Sunderland.
Since landing the job, Stubbs has made a raft of new signings and set about getting his squad up to speed for the big kick-off.
As he continues to trawl the transfer market, the former Hibs gaffer admits he faces a big challenge.
But the Englishman is adamant his side should be aiming higher than just avoiding the drop as he targets getting off to a good start at home to Dundee tomorrow.
Stubbs said: “I am not thinking that way – it is not me to just be thinking about survival.
“I am thinking about us doing the best we possibly can and finishing as high as we possibly can.
“Some people will have a difference of opinion but I can’t bring myself to focus purely on survival.
“We have to think better than that – and that’s what we will be doing. We haven’t spoken about it once and I don’t want to be speaking about it.
“I don’t think it is something we should even be speaking about before we have kicked a ball. I want to have a really positive season.
“Survival and all these other words that will get banded about hopefully won’t be getting used.”
Other clubs such as Hamilton, Dundee and Livingston have also been tipped to be scrapping it out in the bottom six.
But Stubbs insists it is far too early to pinpoint the teams Saints should be capable of matching.
He added: “It is difficult to label sides as certain ones you have to beat when you are coming up as a promoted team.
“What you will find this year is there are no games you are going into as the overwhelming favourite to win.
“Every game is going to be difficult in the Premiership this term.”