STUBBS IN PLEDGE TO TIGHTEN UP AT THE BACK

ST MIRREN manager Alan Stubbs last night reacted to his side’s opening-day win over Dundee by warning they will face serious punishment in the Premiership unless they tighten up.

The Paisley outfit raised the Championship flag ahead of kick-off and saw two goals from Danny Mullen end a three-year exile from the top flight in the best way possible.

However, ahead of next weekend’s visit to Rangers, Stubbs was unhappy with how open his side were at times and admits they had to ride their luck during a second half which saw visiting striker Sofien Moussa miss a 58th-minute penalty.

‘I have to be careful what I say here because we have won a game of football, but it wasn’t the way I like to play at times. It was too expansive,’ he said.

‘If you were a neutral, you’ve probably gone away thinking it was a great game. But it was “you attack, we attack, you attack, we attack” at times.

‘Against the teams who will be higher up the table, we will be punished. We need a little bit more substance and discipline, but the other side of me is saying that it was fantastic to get three points.

‘We started well, but lost a bit of impetus as the first half ended. We didn’t start the second half well and Dundee had us penned in. At one point, it did look like it was just a matter of time.’

Stubbs (above) is hoping to bring in another striker, but Mullen says he welcomes the competition and warned any rivals for his jersey that he has the bit between his teeth.

‘I feel we need another striker as there is a bit of speculation about Ross (Stewart) leaving. It is all about healthy rivalry and I hope I have done enough to stay in,’ said the former Livingston man.

‘I feel I have a point to prove. I have always felt I belong in this league and can do it at this level so I am hoping I can kick on from these two goals.’

Stubbs admits his players took a real boost from keeper Craig Samson saving Moussa’s spot-kick and admits their refusal to buckle under pressure at that stage has given him hope.

‘The penalty was a lack of communication, but Sammy made the save and you could see it gave us a lift,’ said Stubbs. ‘The one thing that pleased me was that there was a period in the second half where it would have been easy for the players to go under, but they kept going.’