We’ll keep them quiet

Andreu aims to silence critics

Tony Andreu has backed the Buddies to silence their critics following a heartening start to their Premiership season.

St Mirren may have crashed to an opening day loss at the hands of Hibs but the standard of their performance has raised hopes that the side can continue to impress.

Many have tipped the Saints to finish bottom of the pile this season.

Scott Allan’s late strike proved the difference at Easter Road as Jim Goodwin’s side put the disappointment of their Betfred Cup campaign behind them to push the Hibees all the way.

Andreu played a pivotal role in the middle of the park and the Frenchman revealed even he was pleasantly surprised by the progress the side has been making.

Andreu told Express Sport: “I have no problem with the doubters, and I have no problem with the people that were disappointed with the way we started the season with the League Cup.

“The fans have every right to expect better from us and to be honest, we expected better from ourselves.

“We have good players so we definitely had to do better, and we need to do better again because we have to win games.

“Saturday showed that we are capable of doing that.

“It’s not about what people say – it is about proving ourselves. It is about being better as a team. We did that on Saturday and hopefully we can carry that into the games against Aberdeen and Rangers.

“In all honesty, we were a bit frustrated.

“We had a couple of chances so it was something of a bittersweet afternoon for us as a team.

“It was still a loss, which is frustrating, but we definitely showed we have a real chance.”

New boys Sean McLoughlin, Sam Foley and Ilkay Durmus all impressed on their Premiership debuts after being thrust into the starting XI less than a week after signing.

And Andreu reckons they will all go on to be big players for the club this season.

He added: “The new players that came into the team on Saturday done very well, as did the boys that came off the bench. We were much better.

“We have to take the positives from the game.

“I think if we keep working like we did then we could have a really successful season.”