Tommy: No need for St Mirren to panic

St Mirren boss Tommy Craig has told his players there is no need to panic despite their awful start to the new season.

The Buddies have begun the Scottish Premiership campaign with successive defeats to Motherwell, Hamilton, Dundee and Dundee United.

And the fact they have failed to find the net either has set off alarm bells ringing among the twitchy Paisley support.

But new manager Craig, who took over Danny Lennon's spot in the dugout during the summer, has appealed for calm.

Craig said: Up to this point in time the lads haven't showed desperation in their play, although when we lost the first goal against Dundee United I did sense it was time to gee them up because they took that one hard having been on top of the game for quite a long spell.

We don't want desperation setting in and I've been working on that for quite a long time. We want them to believe in what they are doing. That is critical.''

Much of the woe in front of goal stems from the continuing absence of skipper Steven Thompson with a groin injury.

Craig admits there is no strict time-scale set for the former Scotland striker's return but is convinced his side can start their recovery against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this Saturday.

The Buddies failed to win any of their first seven league games under Lennon last term but recovered to post an eighth-place finish - their joint-best result in the last quarter century.

It seems to be the recent history of this club that they have long spells without wins then they take up the challenge, forge ahead and regain the ground that they have lost,'' said Craig.

I'd like to think we can do that again against Kilmarnock. But it does seem to be the St Mirren way that we make life difficult for ourselves.''

St Mirren, meanwhile, remain in talks over a new contract with Scotland Under-21 midfielder John McGinn.

Chairman Stewart Gilmour told a fans' meeting last week that the player had been unsettled'' by advances from other clubs and criticised the advice McGinn had received from his agent.

But Craig is not worried that the 19-year-old's form will dip while his future is wrangled over.

John is fine,'' stressed the boss.He is a good footballer and situations with guys like him who are out of contract happen all over the place.

There is still no deal yet but I don't have any fears about his performances.''