Gus: 'It's time to focus on league'

Apr 28 2009 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

SAINTS boss Gus MacPherson got all of his players together yesterday and told them they have to move on from their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat.

The gaffer brought the team together to analyse the loss – then insisted they put it behind them and concentrate on SPL survival.

First up, in the post-split mini-league, is Inverness Caley Thistle who visit St Mirren Park on Saturday.

MacPherson said: “Everyone at the club was gutted to fall at the last hurdle.

“But it’s done now and we must move on.

“We have five huge games starting with Inverness and the fact it’s at our place is a small advantage.”

But the St Mirren manager knows too well that despite a six-point gap between his side and bottom dogs Falkirk, there is still everything to play for.

He said: “I felt way back in September it would be extremely tight at the bottom.

“That’s exactly how it has panned out.

“Our three matches with Caley this season have all been tight, and I don’t expect Saturday to be any different.

“They are very much the team in form.

“It looked as though they were becoming detached earlier on but Terry Butcher has come in and galvanised them.

“They are in good form at the moment and are four points clear of Falkirk.

“But John Hughes’ Falkirk players are now playing for cup final places, which gives them a massive incentive to string together some wins.”

MacPherson added: “There are five managers sitting in offices the length and breadth of Scotland believing their team can go on the run that will lead to premier league safety.

“I believe we can.

“We have a fantastic group of players at this club.

“While they will be hurting, I’ve no doubts that come Saturday they will be focussed solely on beating Caley Thistle.”

And with Motherwell next up at St Mirren Park, he was quick to point out the pre-split win over the Steelmen now means absolutely nothing.

“That’s no advantage at all,” he said.

“It’s done and dusted and it’s history.

“In fact, we’re not even thinking about that game.

“All eyes are on Inverness and we’ll need to produce a top-drawer performance if we want to take anything from the game.

“It’s all down to the decisions the players make on the day, whether that be in defence, midfield or upfront.

“Those players hold our destiny in their hands.

“We desperately want to stay in the top flight and that’s our motivation.

“I believe we’re good enough but now it’s down to the players to prove that.

“They now have five massive games in which to do just that.”