Aird for pace and energy

"We go and get beat by St Mirren so we just need to dust ourselves down. We have another tough game against Morton next weekend."

Second half sub Fraser Aird made an impact in Friday night`s Championship match against St Mirren but not as big an impact as he would have wished for. He told this website:-

"The boys know that we were poor in the first half. We came out in the second half and I thought that we were miles better. It just seemed like we had flicked a switch and we came into the game. Obviously we got our goal but then to lose a bad bad goal like we did, we are disappointed.

"We pressed at the end of the game, they defended well and all credit to them but we just turned off for one second in the second half and we lost a goal like we did and it cost us the game."

Allan Johnston felt that Fraser Aird injected energy into the team when he came on as a 63rd minute substitute for Michael Paton.

"That is why the manager brought me here" replied the 22 year old. "Obviously I have been really disappointed at not playing as much as I have, he knows that and I have spoken to him but he knows the qualities that I have. He knows what I can bring to the game.

"In a game like that when we need to change something, we need to do something and bring a bit of pace to the game. I think that is what we have been missing for the last few weeks to be honest. Hopefully that will be me with maybe a chance and when I get my chance I just have to take it."

Fraser played in Declan McManus at one point but the striker went down in the box. The sub gave his take on what he saw:-

"I saw Declan and thought I`d play a wee 1-2 with him but he was greedy and tried to take it himself. I think there was contact, both of them were at it in the box. It is a tough one because there are so many bodies around the referee.

"I thought in the first half that it was a 100 per cent penalty. I was right in line with it from the bench and thought it was a penalty. Obviously I am not the referee it is up to him to make the decisions."

Now 18 points behind St Mirren Fraser claimed that the squad would keep playing away hoping to claim a play off place:-

"We are in a bit of a rut right now and only the players can change that. The manager needs to bring our confidence back and get on with our jobs.

"It looks like the top spot could be away but you never know what can happen in football. If we keep winning games, they could drop form. We need to do our job then let`s see what happens from there."

Confidence dropped after the cup defeat to Morton.

"Everyone was disappointed, you are always disappointed to lose a game and in the style we did it. We wanted to go on a run in the cup this year and it was disappointing to lose to someone in our division at home. We were the favourites to go on and win it but at the end of the day it has happened.

"We go and get beat by St Mirren so we just need to dust ourselves down. We have another tough game against Morton next weekend."

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