Source: FOOTYMAD
Buddies Need To Get Their First Points
Danny Lennon wants to get some points on the board St Mirren are close to being at full strength for the game against Hibs today in Paisley. Gareth Wardlaw is due to return following a groin injury while Paul McQuade and Steven Thomson are also approaching full fitness. However, David Barron remains on the sidelines with a knee injury. St Mirren manager Danny Lennon has challenged his players to play their way to their first win of the season. Lennon suffered an early setback in his Saints career when his team crashed out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup on penalties against Ross County in midweek after a 3-3 draw in Dingwall. The Paisley club host a Hibs side renowned for their attacking threat, if that version of John Highes' side turn up, and Lennon wants his players, many of them new to the SPL, to show the inner strength to match such ambition. The former Cowdenbeath manager said: "I need players who are brave and bold enough to make things happen; bold and brave enough to make mistakes, but more importantly to go and get the ball after it and make another mistake. If they make another mistake then fine but at least it tells me they have enough about them to make something happen. That's the type of characters and leaders that we need at this football club.'' Hibs manager John Hughes is hopeful that striker Anthony Stokes will be in his squad for their trip, with the Republic of Ireland international having emerged as a transfer target for Celtic ahead of Tuesday's deadline. The Easter Road side will definitely be without goalkeeper Graham Stack because of a back injury and full-back Michael Hart, who damaged his hamstring in last weekend's game with Rangers, but Derek Riordan is expected to be passed fit after sustaining a knee injury in Sunday's 3-0 loss. Midfielder Kevin McBride, sent off with Kyle Lafferty last week, is suspended but defender Ian Murray is free for selection after serving a two-game ban. Hibs defender Paul Hanlon is desperate for the club to hang on to Anthony Stokes - but insists there are players waiting to step into the Irishman's boots if he does sign for the Parkhead side. Celtic are on the trail of the former Arsenal and Sunderland striker, who finished last season as the SPL's second top scorer behind Rangers' Kris Boyd with 23 goals. Hanlon confesses any successful bid from Celtic would leave a huge gap in the team, but is adamant the likes of Colin Nish and Derek Riordan could step into the scoring breach. He said: "It would be a huge loss. If you take 23 goals out of the team obviously it would be a big loss. But, even without the goals, his all-round play is good. He's strong enough, he can hold the ball up and bring other players into the game. So obviously if we lose him it will be a big loss. But we've got enough players there that will take up that role as well. If Derek and Colin can lift both their games then it will be all the better for the club. Obviously, we would be happy to keep Stokesy at the club and still scoring goals, but if that doesn't happen we've got enough to cover.'' Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
