FLYNN IS RELIEVED BUDDIES ARE ONLY LOOKING UP

AT this stage of the season, the minds of St Mirren players are normally preoccupied with a battle for Premiership survival. Midfielder Ryan Flynn still shudders at the memory of the ultra tense 2-0 penalty shoot-out win against Dundee United that preserved the Paisley club’s top-flight status in the 2019 play-off final. So it comes as a huge relief not to be worrying about relegation. Yet just because dropping to the Championship is not in St Mirren’s thoughts, does not mean there is no pressure in Paisley as the Saints try to make history by finishing in the top six. ‘When we stayed up after the play-off with Dundee United, I said the word to describe it was just: Relief,’ said Flynn ahead of tonight’s home match with Motherwell. ‘It’s a relief not to be involved in a relegation battle this year. ‘We’ve been there and done that but that doesn’t mean the rest of our games don’t matter. We are focused on getting that-top six place. ‘There’s no let up. Points still matter just as much and we have to fight and scratch to get them. ‘Top six would be massive for us. We are focused on doing it and it would be a good achievement.’ St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin has targeted 41 points to clinch his side’s place in the top six. They sit on 35 points ahead of tonight’s clash before Ross County visit on Sunday.

Six points from those two matches would be huge for the Buddies with in-form St Johnstone nipping at their heels, just two points behind, having played one game more. But Flynn is wary of facing a Motherwell side that heads to the SMISA Stadium after losing its last two matches, 4-1 to Hamilton and 3-0 to St Johnstone. ‘The manager has targeted 41 points and it is in our hands,’ said Flynn. ‘The next two games are massive for us. We’re in the driving seat but nothing is a given.’