Oran Kearney: St Mirren 'better' than last Dundee United meeting, says manager
- Published
St Mirren in 'good place' before play-off - Kearney
St Mirren "are a better side" than when they lost to Dundee United in February, says manager Oran Kearney as the sides prepare to meet in the Scottish Premiership play-off final.
The Paisley side were consigned to second-bottom place in the top flight, despite beating Dundee 3-2 on Saturday.
St Mirren will travel to Tannadice on Thursday for the first leg, having lost to United in the Scottish Cup.
"I feel we're in a good place as a club," said Kearney.
"United are a good side. They put us out of the Scottish Cup earlier in the season and they have a huge amount to play for. Its been well documented where they want to go to and how they want to do it.
"But I know we are a better side than when we last played them. The last few months, we've gone on a really good run and we go into it in the best possible shape.
"It's hard to know what to expect because there's a lot at stake. With it being two legs that can sometimes alter the psyche. It's going to be an enjoyable situation and one we're going to look forward to."
The second leg of the final will be in Paisley next Sunday, with the aggregate winners earning a place in next season's top flight.
Watch: St Mirren fans back team as play-offs loom
Finding form at the right time? - stats
Kearney did his best to accentuate the positives after his side were resigned to the Premiership play-offs, but on paper he may have reason to be optimistic after a run of six matches unbeaten.
In the last five games, St Mirren have scored 10 goals - an average of two goals per match and a considerable improvement on the 0.84 goals the club have averaged over the course of the league campaign.
Similarly, the Paisley side have also reduced their average rate of goals conceded per match to just one from the 1.73 they have shipped per game over the course of the entire season.
With a better attacking and defensive record, St Mirren have also managed to pick up far better results. While the club's average points per game in the league has been a rather dismal 0.84, that has shot up to 2.2 over the last five games.
Kearney's side will have to be at their very best if they hope to get the better of United over two games. Fortunately for them, they seem to be playing their best football of the season right now.
'St Mirren have more in locker' - analysis
Former Scotland midfielder Derek Ferguson
St Mirren or Dundee United? It's a 50-50. I'm swaying. St Mirren have maybe got just a little bit more in their locker. I just think that they might have a little bit too much for Dundee United. I wasn't too impressed with Dundee United against Inverness. Over the last few years, when the pressure is on, Dundee United don't come up with the goods.