LENNON PREPARES HIS SAINTS FOR SPRINT FINISH

ST MIRREN manager Danny Lennon is hoping his under-pressure side can build on recent successes as they try to claw themselves away from the dreaded play-off spot. The Paisley side face Hibernian in what many view as the game of the day tomorrow, buoyed by a dramatic late triumph over Motherwell a fortnight ago. Victory for St Mirren could propel them to seventh place while dragging Terry Butcher’s team into deep water. ‘From a marathon it now comes down to five short sprints and we’re all trying to get over that finishing line to avoid the play-off position,’ added Lennon. ‘So we need to make sure we bring more than the other teams. I think the split is exciting and the play-offs have added a bit of extra spice to it. ‘Terry went into Hibs and had a fantastic start so now he’ll be scratching his head trying to work out what’s gone wrong. ‘He seems to know where his problem lies and that’s scoring goals.’ Lennon has declared himself a fan of the play-offs despite the danger his club find themselves in. And he said: ‘There’s no doubt it’s good for the game, there are certainly some very interesting games. ‘Our club over the last 25 years have either fought to stay in this league or fought to get in it. It shows the fine lines in Scottish football between success and failure because, bizarrely enough, if we manage to have positive results between now and the end of the season, we could have our best finish since 1989. ‘That’s how tight it is but we look no further ahead than the three valuable points that are up for offer on Saturday.’ Lennon, meanwhile, expressed surprise that St Mirren midfielder John McGinn has been omitted from the shortlist for PFA Scotland young player of the year. Dundee United trio Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Gauld and Andrew Robertson have been nominated for the four-man short-leet with St Johnstone’s Stevie May. And Lennon believes the inability of 19-year-old McGinn to gatecrash the list shows a growing depth of young talent in the SPFL. ‘I was surprised to learn that John wasn’t one of the nominations,’ said the St Mirren boss. ‘But we know the true quality and consistency he’s shown this season. I’ve watched him grow over the years and that boy’s only going to get better in the future.’