Stephen Robinson last night admitted the cut-throat nature of the Premiership means St Mirren’s focus has to be safety first.
The Buddies completed their festive programme yesterday with a 3-0 defeat to reigning champions Celtic in Glasgow’s east end.
A double from Nicolas Kuhn and a header from Auston Trusty sealed victory for the Hoops as Saints slumped to a third straight loss following their Boxing Day triumph at home to Rangers.
The Paisley outfit remain in the top half of the table but just four points now cover the six sides sandwiched between sixth and 11th.
And gaffer Robbo warned: “With the league the way it is, we need the points to stay in this division. Football is up and down and we’re never going to win every game.
“Individual errors have cost us and we need to take that out of our game but we’re confident going into the next three games where we believe we can take points.
“The boys to an extent did what we asked them to do [against Celtic]. Our shape was very good, we pressed well and, when we landed on the ball, we tried to buy our passes and get in behind them.
“We got punished with their first real opportunity. It was a great finish and that’s the difference in levels.
“The second goal is the really disappointing one. We were right in the game at the end of the first half and lost one when it’s very controllable. Then it’s an individual error and a mix-up in the box for the third. We got punished by a very good side.
“I’ve been here many times and been destroyed and it’s been chance after chance and the keeper’s making 20 saves in each half. It wasn’t the case here. Our structure and work ethic was very good.
“We had half-chances at the end and the boys kept fighting hard. We now have to reset as it’s been a very up and down period with three wins and three losses.”
Saints have already snapped up Gateshead striker Owen Oseni and signed Middlesbrough keeper Zach Hemming on loan since the transfer window opened.
Robbo is nowhere near finished as he bids to shape his squad for the second half of the campaign but confirmed there will be departures as well as more new arrivals to ensure the numbers add up.
“I think there will be people going out,” added the St Mirren manager. “Our squad is maybe a bit top heavy. Some of the younger boys will go out on loan. I’d like to do another bit of business to strengthen the squad. We’ve lost three players and I’d like to replace them.”
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