Stephen Robinson focuses on points target and says top six pressure is all on Hearts

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson insists the pressure to make the top six in the Premiership is on other teams, while his side just focus on what would be a notable points target.

The Paisley side host Ross County on Saturday knowing that a win, coupled with Hearts failing to defeat Motherwell at Fir Park, would be enough to jump into the top six in the final game before the Premiership split.

Robinson was delighted his side’s hopes of making the top half are still alive after last week’s defeat at Dundee and he admitted the game carries huge significance.

While a place in the top six is at stake, the tight Premiership table, where St Mirren are currently only four points above the relegation play-off spot, means failing to leapfrog Hearts could mean a tense and nervy end to the season.

“You’ve got an opportunity to get into the top six, to break 40 points and if you don’t make the top six then it’s going to be a relegation battle for every team,” Robinson said.

“So it’s something we’re looking forward to and we have to embrace.

“We’re not the ones under pressure.

“For ourselves and Motherwell, it’s a huge bonus to be in the top six but it’s other teams under pressure and not us.”

The manager knows that the result at Fir Park will dictate what opportunity his team have, but is instead focusing on what is in St Mirrens hands: breaking through the 40-point mark for 33 games.

“We should have been in control of the situation based on our performance last week,” he said.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get the result we needed but we still have a chance now.

“The thing I’ve said to the players is that (with a win) this would be the third year in a row that you’ve broken 40 points.

“If we can win on Saturday and we don’t make the top six then it’s still a massive improvement on where this football club was.

“To do it three years in a row and hit 40 points before the split is probably the first time it’s been done since this format came in 25 years ago.

“So whether it’s good enough to make the top six, what we have to remember is that to break 40 points before the split is a huge achievement for this club.”