St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin is ready to put the 5-0 thrashing by Celtic behind him, as the club prepare for a huge game against Hearts on Wednesday.
The Buddies were comfortably beaten at Parkhead on Saturday thanks to a Leigh Griffiths hat-trick, and further strikes from Odsonne Edouard and Callum McGregor.
Goodwin is ready for Hearts test (Photo by Ben Banks)
St Mirren were obviously big underdogs, but few expected the visitors to make it quite so easy for the champions.
Hamilton’s 1-0 win against Kilmarnock meant Goodwin’s side were pushed down into the relegation play-off place, meaning the threat of losing their top-flight status is very real.
St Mirren have to return to winning ways, but standing in their way of three points on Wednesday are the Jambos, who are unbeaten in their last four now in all competitions.
St Mirren were put to the sword by Griffiths and co on Saturday (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Previewing the game, a defiant Goodwin said: “There’s no fear, no nerves, just go and enjoy the game, enjoy the occasion.
“It should be a great atmosphere, I’ve no doubt Hearts will bring a good support, and hopefully our fans will turn out in good numbers as well. The boys are looking forward to it.
“The incentive is to open the gap even more between ourselves and Hearts, and if we win on Wednesday all of a sudden we would jump a couple of places in the league. I think psychologically that would be a big boost to the fans and to the players.
Stendel’s Hearts lie in wait (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“We’ve got a run of games coming now that if we play to the levels we’re capable of, then we can win every one.
“There is no point in being anxious or uptight or anything like that. You can’t play to your full potential if you are riddled with nerves. I don’t expect that to be the case with the lads, they know exactly what is expected of them. Hearts are a very hard-working, well-organised team and we have got to match that effort, first and foremost.”
St Mirren are yet to beat Hearts this season having lost 5-2 at Tynecastle in November and drawn 0-0 in the first meeting in September.
With Hamilton turning in some good form all of a sudden, it is paramount for the Buddies to respond to the words of their manager.