Hilson is playing the waiting game
Saints star is too busy staying fit to worry about deal
As his short-term deal nears its end, Dale Hilson insists he is focused on just one thing – staying fit.
The former Dundee United midfielder penned a six-month contract with St Mirren in the summer following his release from Championship rivals Queen of the South. An injury-hit spell at Palmerston came to an end and he arrived in Paisley with a renewed sense of hope of making his mark.
However, niggling injuries have so fair plagued his time in the black and white stripes as he has struggled to stay fit.
Hilson has featured as a substitute in recent clashes with Dundee United and Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, providing a second-half spark in both classes which has shown flashes of what he can bring to the table.
But the 24- year- old told Express Sport that he isn’t looking too far into the future. With his deal coming to an end in January, Hilson is out to impress Jack Ross enough to warrant him being handed a new contract.
He concedes it has been a tricky spell – but he remains fixated on helping the Saints’ league push.
He said: “I can honestly say it is not something that I have really thought about.
“I have been too busy concentrating on getting fit than focusing on anything else.
“It is up to the manager and the club what they want to do at the end of that deal. I just need to wait and see what happens.
“In the meantime, I just need to keep myself fit and try and get as many minutes as possible. I just want to get myself in the team.
“I haven’t played very often this year just because of the injuries I have had.
“Playing in the Scottish Cup was brilliant – I just want to feature as often as I can so I am not going to complain about the opposition I’m facing.
“It is always good to play games. The boys had the match won by the time I got on to the field on Saturday, and credit to them.
“I’ve been fit now for a few weeks, so I’m just glad to be involved in the first team again.
“I’m glad to be back out there on the park and being able to show the gaffer what I can do.
“It’s up to him how often I play, but it is about giving him something to think about and showing what I can do when I get the opportunity.”
One flash of brilliance that has caught the eye was a neat backheel that left three Dundee United markers in his wake at Tannadice just over a fortnight ago. And although Saints did go on to lose the game 2-1, Hilson admits it raised a smile when he pulled it off.
He added: “I didn’t even know what I was doing to be honest.
“I just tried a wee backheel – I went for it and I managed to somehow pull it off.
“Those wee things don’t really matter when you don’t get the result you want – but obviously it feels nice when they do work.”