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Lennon wary of Heffernan Boss Danny Lennon believes his St Mirren side will come up against Kilmarnock's version of Wayne Rooney in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at St Mirren Park. Paul Heffernan has scored eight goals in six appearances this season, including in a hat-trick in the 5-0 Scottish Communities League Cup win over Queen of the South in midweek. Lennon made favourable comparisons between the 20-year-old Irishman, who arrived in Ayrshire from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, and Manchester United star Rooney, who has started with 11 goals in nine games. "Heffernan has scored eight in six appearances," said Lennon. "They are raving about Wayne Rooney down in England but it is similar up here with him (Heffernan). "They also have flair players like James Dayton and Dean Shiels and they are hitting a good bit of form at this moment in time, they are coming off a 5-0 victory in the cup so they will come in to the game with a great deal of confidence. "They took a lot of teams by surprise last season and you have to give them a lot of credit in what they achieved. "A lot of people had them down as relegation favourites along with us and they certainly rose above that and had an absolutely fantastic season. "Likewise, we have a lot of good qualities and strengths ourselves. "We come off the back of a very good performance (against St Johnstone). "We've made a lot of improvements in a lot of areas this season although there is a lot of work still be done." To that end, Lennon pleaded for patience from the minority of the Buddies support who are frustrated that their good play has not always been translated into points. "I certainly believe the supporters are enjoying the brand of football they are seeing," he said. "I would ask the small minority of them to be a little more patient. "We do know that there has to be more of an end product. "We certainly thought we had a more directness in the final third the other night." Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels believes his team's trip to St Mirren Park has the potential to be the SPL match of the day. Lennon has followed in the footsteps of Shiels and predecessor Mixu Paatelainen by trying to introduce a free-flowing. passing style of football to his team. Only one point separates the teams, with Kilmarnock ahead on 10 points in fifth place, and Shiels anticipates an entertaining contest. Shiels said: "I am sure the purists will want to watch this game and I'm sure the geography and locality will lend itself towards a decent crowd. "We have watched them quite a lot and they are a very good team. "They are putting on a good style of football and I reckon that potentially this could be the best game in the league this Saturday." Midfielder Gary Harkins agrees that the game could excite the fans. "I've seen a bit of them," he said. "They are playing some great football. "It will be tough to play against but hopefully it will make it a good game. "On paper, it should be good to watch and have goals in it but we will need to wait to see what Saturday brings." Harkins has settled in well to Kilmarnock's brand of football since joining from Dundee in the summer. Harkins, who started his career at Blackburn, said: "I'm enjoying it. I'm finding my feet and enjoying the way we're playing. "You're playing football and passing and moving, which I like to do. "I feel as if I'm improving and will do as the weeks go on. "It's just getting the game time to do it and working under the manager and Jimmy (Nicholl), I will get better." Shiels is not satisfied with Kilmarnock's points total despite pre-season scepticism over their ability to absorb significant personnel changes. "You saw that when they were all doing their predictions and Kilmarnock were bottom or second bottom," Harkins said. "You just use that to kick on. We've always had belief in the changing room and we will continue that belief and hopefully pick up wins. "The gaffer has signed players that are comfortable in the system and the way we want to play."