Stephen Robinson is delighted his hard-working Buddies will get pleasure from a uncommon Christmas Day without work with their households this yr. However the Saints boss insists their festive feasts will style rather a lot sweeter in the event that they first wrap up a win in opposition to Aberdeen this afternoon.
With St Mirren taking part in on Christmas Eve this yr as an alternative of the standard Boxing Day conflict, the gamers have been given Sunday off to loosen up at house with their family members.
Robinson hopes they benefit from the chance by first giving again to the membership and delivering their supporters a welcome win in opposition to former supervisor Jim Goodwin’s Dons on the SMiSA Stadium.
Robinson informed Renfrewshire Stay Sport: “We’re itching to get again taking part in. We had a false daybreak final week when the sport was referred to as off and the boys had been pissed off, however we’ve had one other good week of coaching and we’re able to go.
“For the primary time in my skilled profession, the gamers will not be in on Christmas Day. We normally play on Boxing Day, however not this yr. So we've got given the boys Christmas Day without work and we’ll prepare on December 26, 27 and play the 28. It’s labored out properly this yr.
“It’s very uncommon, however earlier than then we've got to get some factors that can assist us get pleasure from our Christmas dinner that little bit higher.”
The Buddies entered the lengthy World Cup break on the again of two attracts with St Johnstone and Rangers and noticed their comeback in opposition to Motherwell delayed final weekend.
Aberdeen, however, have had two energy-sapping defeats by the hands of Celtic and Rangers, with the Dons hoping to bounce again in Paisley in the present day.
Robinson doesn’t consider the Previous Agency battles could have drained the Dons an excessive amount of, however nonetheless needs to see his facet take the sport to their guests within the hunt for factors.
He stated: “It’s like beginning another time, however the boys have solely actually had per week off. We’ve performed bounce video games whereas Aberdeen have had two robust video games. They'll both be drained or be just a little bit match sharper, however we're concentrating on what we will do.
“They’ve had loads of time to get rested up and I anticipate Aberdeen to be at full energy and raring to go. They’ve obtained an enormous squad and I don’t assume they’ll have any issues with that.
“We had been glorious in opposition to Rangers and St Johnstone the week earlier than the break. The irritating half was that we didn’t take six factors from these video games.
“It’s been an extended wait, however we’ve carried out rather well within the apply video games we’ve had. We've a gaggle who're filled with power and able to kick on once more.
“It’s horrible shedding soccer matches within the final minute. We misplaced factors in opposition to St Johnstone and it’s tough to take, however your job as a supervisor is to choose the boys again up once more. Your self too as a result of you aren't resistant to that disappointment.
“I’m certain Jim will do this. I don’t assume there will likely be any repercussions. They’ll be absolutely targeted and we've got to be ready for that.
“We've to play with the power and verve that we’ve had up till now and we’re taking all of the work we’ve accomplished on this interval into the primary recreation again.”
Robinson believes Saints striker Eamonn Brophy is able to battle for a spot up entrance this afternoon to assist fill the void left by Alex Greive.
The Buddies go into in the present day’s match with out New Zealand worldwide Greive, who has returned house after struggling a household bereavement.
Whereas St Mirren have misplaced the companies of 1 ahead, Robinson is assured former Killie hitman Brophy is able to make his mark having been pressured to look at on from the sidelines after falling down the pecking order this season.
Robinson added: “We're with out Richard Tait and the one different participant lacking is Alex Grieve, because of a household bereavement.
“We’ve despatched Alex again to New Zealand and our ideas are very a lot with him and his household. We informed him to focus on being along with his household at this second.
“Brophy is match and combating to get into the crew. We’ve had two centre forwards, three counting Alex, who've hit the bottom operating and been very good.
“Eamonn wasn’t able to go at the beginning of the season and he’s been taking part in catch-up, however he’s educated properly the previous few weeks and is prepared now to combat for a spot.”
READ MORE:
Do not miss the newest Renfrewshire headlines –signal as much as our free each day publication right here