Ross defiant despite defeat

Jack Ross insists his side will need no extra motivation to get the job done against Livingston this weekend following a frustrating defeat to Dundee United last night.

St Mirren remain just a point short of sealing the Championship title after Billy King’s second- minute strike sealed the points for the hosts at Tannadice.

Ross admitted that his players were gutted not to wrap it up in front of a massive travelling support - but says his players have earned the right to be confident ahead of the final four games of the season.

He said: “It is human nature for them to be disappointed just now but once they are back they will be fine.

“We have put ourself in a position where we have five games to get a point - that’s not bad. Saturday was not an opportunity to win the league, that was a chance to win a game, tonight was the first opportunity to win the league.

“That’s passed us by but we have another four chances. The players will be fine for Saturday.”

Saints appeared to struggle to get going at Tannadice, with King’s effort putting them on the back foot early on.

And Ross conceded that the goal had a major sway in how the game was contested as United appeared happy to sit in and defend.

He added: “We made a poor start to the game , and thereafter I think I have seen us more fluent. I think the early goal lended itself to that type of game because it gave United something to hold on to.

“It is not often you come to Tannadice and see a side like United pretty much camped in for long periods of play. But I can’t fault the players for their effort because I thought they stuck at it tonight.”

Meanwhile, Ross played down his role in a post- match bust- up in the technical areas between himself and United boss Csaba Laszlo.

But the Saints manager revealed that he was disappointed in the way that the United gaffer conducted himself after an argument erupted between the Hungarian and St Mirren goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield.

He said: “There were no words exchanged between me and Csaba. But he said something to one of my members of staff that is not appropriate.

“I just made it clear that what he said to my staff is not acceptable.”