Jack Ross has praised St Mirren supporters and said the players are thankful for the support they receive week-in, week-out.

The Buddies' final home match of the 2016/17 season takes place on Saturday as his side welcome fellow relegation fighters Raith Rovers.

A win over John Hughes' side would guarantee that St Mirren can't finish bottom and Ross believes that the Saints faithful will understand how important a match it is. 

I think the supporters all recognise the significance of it," he told stmirren.com. "Hopefully they'll understand there will be patience required in some aspects of the game as well. However, we want to approach the game in the manner that we have done recently. We want to start with a performance that excites them and get them behind us because that's our responsibility to do that. 

"The players have been enormously grateful for it. I stress all the time about feeding off the crowd. We talk about it before games, home and away. Feed off their energy, feed off how they are backing you and when you do that you give back something to them that excites them. We've got that mix right recently. We've got to keep doing it time after time.

"It's my responsibility to make sure there's a team that goes out there that reflects that passion for the club. There's a group here that are doing that and the fans have recognised that. I have no doubt that they will come out in numbers and those that are there on Saturday will be very vocal in their support of the club. If that mix is right we'll be very tough to stop."

The manager also took the time to praise his players for the way they have dealt with demands of trying to keep the club in the Ladbrokes Championship and confessed it's important for them to keep focusing on the positives heading into the final two matches.

How they have mixed together as a group and bounced off each other has been terrific. They have also been very good at picking up the responsibility of trying to keep us in the league.

"Not everyone can deal with that pressure. They've had to deal with that for a long time now so the mix has had to be right and it has been.

"We've shown them league tables from February and March. As recently as March we were still cut adrift at the bottom of the table. They have to be reminded of that to accentuate the positives. We keep hammering home the positives because there has been plenty of them.

"If we can retain our Championship status there is a huge number of the squad that want to stay here because they have loved the last few minutes. They are a good squad together and I want to try and keep the bulk of that together."

Be there on Saturday to show your support for one of the biggest matches of the season. Tickets are on sale at the St Mirren Ticket Office, online and over the phone at 0141-840-6130. 

1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem each year, which could be at least two players in every football team.

It is reckoned that every year approximately 275,000 people in Scotland at least considered killing themselves.  These are shocking figures.

St Mirren is proud to promote the fact that there is help out there:

Thistle Foundation - Live Well Stay Well is for people who feel they could be coping a bit better, feeling they want more control in their life, feeling down or anxious, going through a difficult life situation or with long term health problems.

The first step is to get in touch; the service is flexible and works at your own pace.  You can have one contact or several – whether you prefer face to face, phone, text or email, it’s your choice.   Please get in touch for Free, anonymous and confidential support.

Contacts:

Leanne Connolly on 07342 035670

Lorraine Holliday on 07867 179028 or 0141 886 3375

Crisis support – If you live in Renfrewshire contact RAMH FIRST Crisis on 0141 848 9090 or (freephone from landlines) 0500 829 093.

Available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, Monday-Friday 9am-8pm and Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm.

Alternatively or if you live outside Renfrewshire and need immediate help contact:

Breathing Space Call 0800 83 85 87

Weekdays: Monday – Thursday 6pm to 2am

Weekend: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am

Samaritans Call 116 123

NHS 24 Call 111

Pro Life Fitness Centre will be offering FREE access to the public on 8th to 14th of May in support of Mental Health Awareness Week.  We all know that being physically active is good for our bodies.  But our physical health and mental health are closely linked – so physical activity can be very beneficial for our mental health and wellbeing too.

Location: 98 New Sneddon St, Paisley PA3 2BD

All dome activity has been cancelled for Wednesday 26 April due to unforeseen circumstances.

We hope to have the dome back to being fully operational tomorrow. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Josh Todd says that St Mirren fans need to “keep doing what they’re doing” in order to help the team avoid the drop with just two games left to play.

Todd, who joined the club in January, admitted that he has been pleasantly surprised by the fans and thinks they’ve had a part to play in St Mirren’s recent run of form.

Speaking to stmirren.com, the 22 year-old said: “The fans have been massive.

They’re a great set of fans, they’re lively, and they are behind the team 100%.

"They just need to keep doing what they’re doing. They’re doing a great job.

“If you get a good attack going they’re on your side. Without thinking about it, it gives you the belief that you can score a goal, that you can win a game. They’ve been fantastic.”

The midfielder scored his first goal for the club in Saturday’s defeat away to Dundee United. However, he confessed that he can't really recall what it was like to get off the mark for the Buddies.

I saw the fans going up and down and it kind of sent me on a whirlwind, I can’t remember much of it.

“On a personal level it was great but for the team it means we’ve got to keep fighting over the next few weeks.”

Todd believes that the frustrating loss at Tannadice was just a hiccup and that the team are in good spirits, putting it down to a happy changing room that’s keeping them confident of getting the results they need.

We’ve looked at the form table over the last 10 or so games and we are up there at the top. It’s one hiccup, but as a whole we’re just going to keep pushing forward and keep confident.

“The team is flying round the training room, we are really happy every day. We just need to try and get as many points as we can and stay up.

“In the changing room we have fun but when it gets to a certain time it’s heads down, taking care of the game, like we’ve been doing so far.

“You can tell by the results that it’s a very together changing room. We’re all in this together and we know where we are and what we’ve got to do."

With Saturday's match against Raith Rovers being St Mirren's last home match of the season, we will be hosting a minute's applause prior to kick-off on to remember all the St Mirren supporters that have sadly passed away throughout season 2016/17. 

If you would like the name of someone who has passed away this season to be included on the big screen during the applause or on the website then please email info@stmirren.com by Thursday afternoon.

Our thoughts to all the families who have lost loved ones throughout the season. 

Supporters of St Mirren have provided 990 meals to people in need in Renfrewshire following the ‘Easter Foodbank Collection’ that was organised by the St Mirren Fans Council at the Dumbarton game earlier this month.

In the generous bid to help feed those less fortunate in the Renfrewshire area, both sets of fans donated an incredible 416kg of food, after the foodbank put together a list of items that is was particularly short on.

In response to the overwhelming effort from the fans, the Renfrewshire Foodbank wrote a letter to St Mirren supporters thanking them for the collection as the number of people needing help from the local foodbank continues to increase.

Elizabeth Alexander, Project Manager of the Renfrewshire Foodbank said: "Please thank the supporters for the wonderful collection they did for Renfrewshire Foodbank. This donation was really most helpful as the number of people needing our help continues to increase. Thank you so much once again for your help."

The successful food collection has not been the first to have been organised by fans of the club and due to its success and the success of previous food collections before it, it won’t be the last thanks to the kind hearted Buddies that help to support the initiative.

The deadline has passed and the bids are all in for the two sides in this Sunday’s (30 April) ‘Saint for a Day 2017′ event at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Chairman Gordon Scott and Director Alan Wardrop will be taking to the field for the away team alongside special guest players David Van Zanten and Lee Mair. The away side will be managed by St Mirren assistant manager James Fowler, whilst Jack Ross takes charge of the home side.

The lucky auction winners are as follows:

Home Team

Manager: Jack Ross
Assistant Manager: Gordon McLelland

1. John Fleming
2. Paul Gilligan
3. Jamie McCurdy
4. Jason Murphy
5. Jackson Pullar
6. Martin Reilly
7. Derek Scott
8. Ian Brown
9. Craig Reilly
10. Chris Reilly
11. Ronnie Laing

Home Subs

12. Donald Craig (Sub 1)
13. Kenny Mearns (Sub 2)
14. Steven Morrow (Sub 3)

Away Team

Manager: James Fowler
Assistant Manager: Ian Brown (Snr)

1. Martyn Elliot
2. Craig MacPherson
3. Gordon Scott
4. Scott Dickson
5. David Van Zanten/Lee Mair
6. Kenny Wilson
7. Raymond Balloch
8. David Campbell
9. Nigel Thomson
10. Alan Wardrop
11. David Campbell

Away Sub

12. Craig Archibald 

All players should please note that they have to report in at the stadium by 10:30pm on Sunday and that the game will kick-off at 12pm.

Many thanks to everyone who put in a bid and we hope the lucky winners all have a great day on Sunday. 

Pictures from yesterday's 3-2 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice.

Saints thought they'd grabbed a late draw when Josh Todd scored to make it 2-2 with less than five minutes to go.

But a Blair Spittal goal in the 90th minute ended the Buddies seven match unbeaten run in the league.

Match gallery pictures by John Millar - © millarpictures

Jack Ross reflects on today's 3-2 loss to Dundee United at Tannadice which sees the Buddies unbeaten run in the league come to an end. 

St Mirren's seven match unbeaten run in the league came to an end as Dundee United snatched a last gasp win at Tannadice.

Goals from Gary MacKenzie and Josh Todd pulled Saints level on two occasions after United had taken the lead through Thomas Mikkelsen and Tony Andreu. Blair Spittal fired home from the edge of the box in the final minute to give the hosts all three points.

The Tangerines took the lead early on in controversial circumstances when Mikkelsen fired home with just seven minutes on the clock. Andreu flicked the ball over the top searching for the Danish striker who caught Gary MacKenzie with a high boot before running through and slamming the ball into the back of the net. The Saints players and supporters were furious that official Craig Charleston allowed the goal to stand after what looked like a clear foul. And despite being on the receiving end of the foul, MacKenzie ended up in the referee's book for his protests. 

Saints grew into the game and were almost level when Stevie Mallan curled a free kick just by Cammy Bell's left hand post.

St Mirren deservedly equalised with a little over five minutes to go in what was a quiet first half. It felt like justice was served as MacKenzie was the one to get the Buddies back on level terms. Lewis Morgan was halved on the right hand side by Jamie Robson who went into the book for the challenge. Mallan went across to whip the ball into the middle where it met the head of MacKenzie who pulled away from his marker to power home.

Half Time: Dundee United 1-1 St Mirren

The hosts had a glorious opportunity to retake the lead in the second half when Simon Murray hit the woodwork. A Saints corner was cleared to the half way line where Gary Irvine was penalised for bringing down a United player. The free kick was played quickly to Murray on the edge of the box who smashed it off the bar. The ball then fell invitingly for Mikkelesen whose first touch was poor allowing Billy O'Brien to smother.

They did go back in front when the referee awarded United an indirect free kick in the box. A loose ball played into the Saints box from 40 yards out was gathered by O'Brien who was under pressure by Murray. The referee adjudged it to be a pass-back from Stephen McGinn and despite some disagreement with the decision in the press box, it proved to be the correct call. Spittal rolled the ball to Frenchman Andreu who blasted it low into the net to restore the home side's advantage, scoring his fifth goal against the Buddies this season. 

Saints almost made it 2-2 soon after with Mallan forcing Bell to push a free kick wide. The 21 year-old got it up and over the wall but the goalkeeper did well as he got both hands to it to force it away from goal. MacKenzie went close to getting his second from the resultant corner as he rose above the United defence again sending a header just over. 

Josh Todd was brought as a late substitute for the Buddies and his introduction had the desired affect when he scored his first St Mirren goal to square the game. McGinn was on the end of a loose ball in the box and crashed a shot goalward. It took a deflection and landed at the feet of Todd who showed great composure to open up room in the box before firing it high into the United net.

It looked like St Mirren were going to take what would have been a deserved point but there was late heartbreak as Spittal scored in the dying embers of the match. Mikkelsen found the midfielder on the edge of the box and he struck it low beyond O'Brien into the net to seal three points for the home side.

Full Time: Dundee Utd 3-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine (Stelios 77), Baird, MacKenzie, Eckersley, Magennis, Mallan, McGinn, Morgan, Smith (Sutton 69), Loy (Todd 79)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Webster, Quinn, Storie, Stelios, Todd, Sutton

Dundee Utd: Bell, Robson, Durnan, Edjenguele, Allardice (Kuate 45), Murdoch, Flood, Spittal (Donaldson 90+2), Murray, Andreu, Mikkelsen
Subs Not Used: Zwick, Dixon, Coote, Telfer, Nicholls

Referee: Craig Charleston
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Garry Farmer

Attendance: 6,225