GAME CHANGER FOR MIDFIELDER I’LL AIM TO STAY OUT THE BAD BOOKS

Power pledges to tread carefully if it keeps him on the pitch

Saints midfielder Alan Power insists he’s happy to rein in his tough-tackling style if it means he spends more time on the pitch.

The 33-year-old was forced to watch on from the stands early in his St Mirren career after picking up suspensions for League Cup yellow cards and a reckless red against Celtic.

A few heart-to-heart talks with gaffer Jim Goodwin, himself not shy of a full-blooded challenge in his playing days, have persuaded

Power to tread more carefully to stay out of the referee’s naughty book.

He’s managed to avoid a booking in the Buddies last three matches and, while not content to totally change his approach to the game, he’s pleased to be making more of a positive impact on the pitch for his teammates.

When asked about his improved disciplinary record, Power told Express Sport: “It’s been a bit of a conscious effort. I just try to not go to ground as easy now.

“I’m not going to change my game too much, because I can’t. It’s the way I’ve been all my career.

“But I maybe need to use it in a different manner and at different times this season. The worst thing for me is missing games.

“I’m a different man when I don’t have something to look forward to on a Saturday.

“I need to keep myself right and I am quite happy now to have gone three games without getting booked, while also still battling away.

“Maybe it is a new me.”

The Paisley club return to Premiership action this afternoon, facing the long trip up the A9 to take on win-less Ross County.

Jim Goodwin’s side can go ten points ahead of the struggling Staggies with a victory, an incentive that’s not lost on Power.

And, while the 33-year-old admits he fears the international break may disrupt his in-form side’s rhythm, he takes heart from their battling win last time out against Livingston.

Power said: “It’s a good incentive to have. We want to get as far away from the bottom as we can before the winter break and then see where we are and reassess from there.

“The break might possibly have come at a bad time for us.

“It’s always nice to recuperate a bit though and spend time with the family and then be raring to go again.

“Up to a couple of weeks ago, we didn’t have a win yet, so we know the position Ross County are in.

“They’re going to fight for every ball and it’s always a tough game when you go up there.

“We have to rise to the occasion and