Teale taking nothing for granted
St Mirren may have pulled away from Clydesdale Bank Premier League bottom side Dundee before the winter break but they still have to keep an eye on the Dens Park side, according to Buddies midfielder Gary Teale.
Saints were unbeaten in four games over the festive season which took them 13 points clear of the struggling Taysiders in 10th place, albeit having played a game more.
However, ahead of the visit of second-bottom Ross County, the former Derby and Sheffield Wednesday winger does not consider the Dees to be a safety net.
"We don't think that Dundee are cast adrift," said the 34-year-old. "People said that earlier on in the season and then we went on a run where we didn't win for six games.
"They caught up with us and when we played them they could have gone above us, so it shows how easily it is done.
"The results we had in October and November, they were terrible , there is no getting away from that.
"But we are a positive thinking club and with the results we had after that run we were on, we have kicked on.
"Our aspirations are top six. The league is so tight that two results will probably put us up and to where we think we should be in the league."
Teale enjoyed his first winter break but admits it may have been beneficial if the Buddies had kept their momentum going.
He said: "It was nice to get that time off. It was something I hadn't experienced in my career. I was in Dubai for a few days with my wife and kids, it was great.
"But from a footballing side of things, we would probably have carried on because we did have a few decent results and confidence was high.
"We hope we can carry it on but time will tell."
St Mirren will not have Paul Dummett available for the home Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash.
The left-back has returned to Newcastle United after a loan spell with the Buddies and while Saints boss Danny Lennon is hoping he can get him back for a second spell, no deal has been done yet.
Darren McGregor (knee), Thomas Reilly (broken ankle) and Kenny McLean (knee) are still out.
Ivan Sproule is determined to have a big part to play in the continuing Ross County success story as they seek to retain their place in the division.
The former Hibernian winger joined the Highlanders on an 18-month deal earlier this month and could make his debut against St Mirren.
Sproule has been impressed by his new club's efforts so far in their first ever campaign in the top-flight, after an incredible unbeaten run saw them win promotion from the Irn-Bru First Division.
Country sit second bottom of the table but have a nine-point advantage, and a game in hand, over Dundee and Sproule hopes he can provide a further boost to their survival hopes.
The Northern Ireland international said: "I'm here to do a job. I've signed for 18 months and it's a big challenge for myself and my family but it's one that I relish and look forward to.
"Ross County have had a meteoric rise. The footballers here, and the club as a whole, deserve great credit.
"I've come here to be part of that progression and help move Ross County up the league.
"I've come here to try to push the team on, along with all the other boys.
"The lads have given a great account of themselves in this SPL campaign. I'm just keen to get started."
Greek defender Evangelos Ikonomou could make his Ross County debut at St Mirren Park.
However, County are still awaiting a work permit for Canada international Andre Hainault.
Boss Derek Adams will be without midfielder Stuart Kettlewell (hamstring).
Source: PA
