Buddies to bounce back

ST MIRREN manager Gus MacPherson denies the Co-operative Insurance Cup final meeting with Rangers at the end of the month is affecting his players' approach to league matches.

The Buddies have failed to win any of their last nine SPL games and are only three points above bottom side Falkirk ahead of tonight's visit of on-form Motherwell.

MacPherson says that his men cannot be faulted for effort and enthusiasm. "If the players are looking towards the final then I don't see it," he said.

"At training yesterday they were kicking lumps out of each other. I had to stop the training session early, so the edge is still there.

"Obviously, we are disappointed at our recent results but I can't be too critical of our performances in most of those games. We'll continue to try and reach the high standards that we set and if we do that, then I'm sure we will get results."