Lennon makes style demands

ST MIRREN manager Danny Lennon has told his players they must produce the slick football that has won them plaudits this season when they face Rangers at Ibrox.

With points hard to come by against a team who have won nine Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches in succession, Lennon believes their performance is crucial as they look to continue making progress.

The improvement and passing football that has been evident this season for Saints was missing in their last game, a 2-1 defeat to bottom club Inverness before the international break.

And Lennon has demanded a return to their new style today. “It’s very important for us, regardless of where we are going, to play our brand,” the St Mirren manager said.

“It’s been a long one coming for us after the disappointment of Inverness. But what an opportunity and what an arena for us on Saturday.

“The big, big thing that I’m looking for overall is that we must have a performance and we must do it our way.”

St Mirren go into their final game of the opening round of fixtures in sixth place.

“We’re delighted where we are, with the progress we have made and delighted to be in the quarter-final of the Scottish Communities League Cup.

“But there’s still a long, long way to go. We are still fuelled by that ambition to do better. I feel I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t get more out of these players on a daily and weekly basis.

“And the players, if they have got any ambition within themselves, they have got to continue that drive individually as well as collectively.”

Lennon has been hugely impressed with the start Ally McCoist has made to his career as Rangers manager.

“The transition period of Ally going in there was a difficult one in three aspects,” said Lennon, who was speaking at a Tesco Bank Football Challenge event involving 300 schoolchildren on the St Mirren Park pitch.

“He went in when there was a takeover and new money men and players and staff have come and gone.

“He has had to take on the responsibility of achieving the expectations of what Walter [Smith] achieved, probably Rangers’ greatest manager.

“And thirdly, his own transition period from being a coach and assistant manager to having to make these big decisions at a massive, massive football club.

“He has done that terrifically well. They are sitting at the top of tree, although they are by no means invincible.

“We saw that when they went out the Champions League to Malmo and the Europa League to Maribor and, more relevant to us, the Falkirk one in the League Cup, and that’s one we still have an opportunity to progress in.”