Buddies Look To Get Much Needed Win

Last updated : 10 January 2015 By Ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphp95CA.tmpStevie Mallan has thanked Teale and Davie Longwell for giving him his big break - and urged the St Mirren board to show the same faith in the interim management duo. The youngster has been a stand-out performer for the Paisley side since Teale was put in temporary charge after the sacking of Tommy Craig six weeks ago. The midfielder's 60-yard solo run and strike against Dundee was the highlight of an impressive introduction which saw him named December's SPFL young player of the month. But Mallan has now praised the bravery shown by Teale and his assistant Longwell, who is also Saints' youth manager, after they threw a raft of teenagers into a side deep in relegation trouble.

Mallan said: "I've got to thank both of them. I was more a of a dribbler when I was younger but since joining up with the first team, Davie and Tealey have been banging on at me to work on my defensive side of my game. And it paid off, because it was a tackle that won me the ball for the goal at Dundee. Coming up through the academy with Davie, he was always encouraging us to work on our technique - tricks, dribbling, shooting - so his help has been brilliant for me. It's been really brave of the two of them to put the likes of me, Lewis McLear and Jack Baird in the side. It shows they trust us. We've all been working hard and I certainly think I've proven over the last few weeks I deserve to be in the team. But considering the position we are in, a lot of managers might not have done that."

St Mirren remain joint bottom of the table, six points from safety, after managing just one win since Craig was sacked. However, Mallan said: "Gary and Davie definitely deserve a longer shot in the job. Over the last few weeks, the crowd have definitely been able to see improvements and what they are trying to achieve. We've been unlucky with refereeing decisions lately when we were good enough to win a couple of games."

Striker Steven Thompson will miss Aberdeen visit after he was ruled out for up to four weeks following hernia surgery. Caretaker manager Gary Teale will also be without winger Adam Drury after he was sent back to parent club Manchester City six months before his loan stint was due to expire. Midfielder Kenny McLean, however, will be free to face the Dons in Paisley after the Buddies successfully appealed the red card he received against Kilmarnock on New Year's Day.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has no fresh injury worries with Clark Robertson and Craig Storie closing in on returns to fitness following injury. However, the game, in which the Dons could go four points clear of Celtic at the top of the table, comes too soon for either player. McInnis said: "The aim is to go there and win. We have no doubts it will be a tough match for us, as they are most weeks. We are playing a team who are fighting for their lives. They have players who can hurt you so we have a job on our hands. We are obviously happy where we are but Saturday is all about winning three points, the same three points that are available every week. If we are to do that then we need the same complete focus and concentration to give ourselves a chance. No one is going to give you points. You have to earn them. Regardless of whether we are playing a team at the top of the table or nearer the bottom, it is about what we bring to the game. The players are relishing the challenge and enjoying it. They are really looking forward to the game."