St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has told his players victory over Ross County on Saturday would seal a “huge achievement” – even if they miss out on a top-six place.
Saints are looking for a hat-trick of top-half finishes in the Scottish Premiership but only a win will do and they need Motherwell to take something off Hearts at Fir Park.
Robinson said: “The biggest thing I’ve said to the players is, this would be the third year you’ve broken 40 points (before the split).
“If we can win on Saturday and you don’t meet the top six, it’s still a massive improvement on where this football club was. To do it three years in a row and hit 40 points before the split is probably the first time it’s been done.
“So, whether it’s good enough to make the top six, what we have to remember is to break 40 points before the split is a huge, huge achievement for this football club.”
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With their destiny partly out of their hands, Robinson wants his players to embrace the drama.
The former Motherwell manager has had to deal with losing three players from his squad this season following court appearances but they have brushed off the disruption.
“We have to embrace it,” he said. “We’re not the ones under pressure. Ourselves and Motherwell, it’s a huge bonus to be in the top six. But it’s other teams that are under pressure, not us.
“Considering everything that’s happened at the club and all the problems we’ve had off the field, to still be in this position is fantastic.”
With the gap opening between fifth-placed Dundee United and the chasing pack last weekend, the team that grabs the final top-six spot will be hard-pushed to seal a European spot through the league.
And given the unfolding relegation dogfight, the main carrot for making the top six, on top of the financial advantages, might well be ensuring the threat of relegation is put to bed.
“Most definitely because at the start of the season, we set out that our minimal target is to be in the division,” said Robinson.
“Our maximum target is to be in the top six, which obviously gives you the chance to be a European side.
“But it certainly isn’t where we should be. The top six currently probably is the way it should be in terms of resources.
“And you need everything to go your way. You need breaks along the way. And we haven’t had any of those. We haven’t had any breaks. We haven’t had any decisions that have helped us along the way.
“So, it’s important to remember that the minimum target is to stay in this division. So, it is a big game that would ease the pressure both ways.
“Whether it’s good enough to get into the top six, it will certainly help ease our fears of being caught up in a relegation battle.”
