St Mirren start strongly using relegation scare as 'fuel'

St Mirren manager Craig McLeish is channeling the negative emotions from last season's relegation battle into fuel for the current campaign. The team has started strongly, securing six points from their opening two matches with two clean sheets. "I'm still using that as fuel," McLeish told BBC Scotland. "I don't want to be involved in that. We've got a massive journey ahead of us and we have to keep building. Six points out of six is a great start."

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I'm still using that as fuel. I don't want to be involved in that. We've got a massive journey ahead of us and we have to keep building. Six points out of six is a great start.

The manager emphasized the importance of returning to basics, focusing on relentless effort, fitness, and desire. "We have to be horrible to play against. Two clean sheets sets us up well for that. We want to be really good at the basics and not get bored of that," he stated. This mentality is shared by new goalkeeper Jacob Chapman, who highlighted the team's collective defensive effort. "Defenders throwing their bodies on the line; [Alex] Gogic throwing his head here and everywhere," Chapman told BBC Scotland. "Even the attackers coming back and helping defend."

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We have to be horrible to play against. Two clean sheets sets us up well for that. We want to be really good at the basics and not get bored of that.

McLeish acknowledged that St Mirren's strategy involves developing players and then moving them on. Midfielder Killian Phillips, who has scored all three of the team's Premiership goals this season, is a prime example. "He's at the stage right now where he's round about the 100-game mark for the club," McLeish said. "He'll be looking for the next step in his career. If he attracts interest, then great. We're doing our job."

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Defenders throwing their bodies on the line; [Alex] Gogic throwing his head here and everywhere. Even the attackers coming back and helping defend.

While open to potential transfers, McLeish expressed his commitment to helping Phillips achieve the best possible move. "I believe that the longer he stays and plays with me and with us, I'll get him the best move he possibly can. And if that's this window then fine. If it's in January, if we get him to the end of the season, it's part of it and we have to be prepared for any outcome," he explained. "But we're just delighted to have him as part of our group. He's a massive part of it. And, if he keeps playing like that, his future takes care of itself."

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He's at the stage right now where he's round about the 100-game mark for the club. He'll be looking for the next step in his career. If he attracts interest, then great. We're doing our job.