Oran Kearney aims to replicate Steve Clarke's Kilmarnock success

The Killie boss, who celebrated the first anniversary of taking over at Rugby Park this week, inherited a side looking set for a relegation scrap but transformed them into a top-six outfit.

So far during 2018, no side has taken more points than the Ayrshireman and they could find themselves top of the table come Saturday evening if they see off Saints in Paisley and other results go their way.

But Killie's turnaround in fortunes under Clarke has given Kearney hope that he can inspire a similar rejuvenation for his team.

He said: "That's the aim. The journey they have been on since Steve took over has been really impressive.

"Of course that is ideally what we would like to achieve here. I'm sure that he would be the first to tell you it all came about through a huge amount of hard work and graft.

"Those are the key ingredients we need to put in place here if we are to have a chance of doing that.''

Kearney is in no doubt of the size of the task facing him, however.

St Mirren have only taken four points from eight games this season and their last run out saw Aberdeen dish out a 4-1 hammering at Pittodrie.

But the Northern Irishman has told his players they cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves while they sit just one point off bottom spot.

He said: "We have performed in bits of games but if we go out and perform for 90 minutes like we did against Hibs a couple of weeks ago we'll give ourselves a heck of a chance to get a result.

"There is a good buzz in the dressing room to be fair to the players and we've had good chats over the last couple of weeks about mind set and how it has to change.

"We know the challenge that lies ahead. There are going to be obstacles and disappointments.

"We have to analyse them but we also have to make sure we don't walk about with the lip out after a game like Aberdeen and feel sorry for yourselves.

"If you do carry that into a game like Saturday's that lip will get damaged even more.'

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