Gary Harkins says three points will spark St Mirren

Gary Harkins in action for St Mirren. Picture: SNS

Saints have struggled in the Scottish Premiership so far, claiming just one point from five games. But Harkins believes victory over Hibernian today will be enough to kick-start their campaign and take some of the pressure off manager Danny Lennon, whose position has been the subject of speculation.

The midfielder, who signed from Dundee during the summer, said he was reluctant to comment on Lennon’s future but backed his work and stated: “If we can get the first win, it won’t be talked about.

“I think he’s done well for the club. In the three years he has been here they have stayed in the SPL and won a cup. Since I’ve been here, we have worked hard and we’ve just not had the break that we need.”

Hibs also struggled at the start of the campaign but recent results have allowed them to move up to seventh spot ahead of the weekend.

Harkins added: “We know they have been on a good run in their last four or five games. If we can get that one result, I’m pretty sure that everything will be forgotten about and we can concentrate on the next game.

“At the moment, it’s just getting over the line with that first win. Any team that goes on a run of not winning games is going to take a hit to their confidence. But it’s about believing in yourself and digging deep and having that fight to get the three points.

“With that dressing room, if we get one win, I think we will kick on. It’s just about finding the win first of all and kicking on from there.”

St Mirren suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Motherwell last week and Harkins insisted there were positives to take from the performance.

He said: “In the first half I thought we played quite well and we matched them and created a few chances. We can take heart from that. It was a bad goal to lose but we didn’t put it in the net at the other end either, so it’s one to work on.”