Raywary of Saints’ survival instincts

DUNDEE United boss Ray McKinnon has told his team they need to match St Mirren’s fighting spirit when they head to Paisley tonight.

The Tangerines’ promotion hopes suffered a blow last Friday when they lost to Ladbrokes Championship leaders Hibernian.

However, they can move up to third if they beat basement boys Saints.

McKinnon knows that with Jack Ross’s side now just four points adrift of the potential safety raft of a play-off spot, they will come out all guns blazing.

He said: “Every game is going to be tough from now until the end of the season. Everybody has got something to play for.

“St Mirren are fighting for their lives at the bottom. They have got themselves almost to within touching distance of the other sides at the bottom.

“They made nine signing in January so they have definitely turned their squad around, so I’m expecting a tough game. We need to be prepared for that.”

“They have decent players. I like the boy Stevie Mallan in midfield, I obviously know Cammy Smith and they have two quick wingers.

“We just want to win as many games between now and the end of the season as possible.

“The boys showed great spirit on Friday and if they can show the same determination and discipline then hopefully we will win more than we lose.

Lewis Toshney will be missing tonight following his sending-off against Hibs while Blair Spittal is still out injured.