Stephen Robinson says intense competition drives St Mirren’s top-six success and cup run ahead of Dundee clash

Stephen Robinson believes fierce competition is key to St Mirren’s success.

The Northern Irishman has guided the Paisley club to three successive top-six finishes in the William Hill Premiership and can look forward to a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Motherwell at Hampden Park next month.

Ahead of the visit of Dundee on Saturday, Robinson said: “I’ve got a group of boys that I rarely need to motivate.

“They come here with different motivations, whether it be money, whether it’s pushing a career on or lengthening their career, whatever it may be, they’ve all got their own individual motivations.

“So it’s rare that I have to motivate them.

“They’re motivated to be the best they can be every day in training and the competitiveness here is incredible.

“Everybody knows they are one place away from starting.

“So the competition never dies and that’s probably been the secret to our success.”

The Buddies beat Kilmarnock in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Rugby Park last Friday and were rewarded with a last-four clash against Well with Celtic taking on Rangers in the other semi-final at the national stadium.

Robinson believes both non-Old Firm sides will fancy their chances of reaching the final having avoided the Glasgow giants.

He said: “Both teams will think they’ve got an opportunity to get to the final. Motherwell will think exactly the same as us.

“It’s nice to play against my old club as well.

“So it’s one we’re looking forward to, but one also that we need to put at the back of our mind.

“We’ve got a lot of important league games coming up.

“We enjoyed the night, we enjoyed the celebrations, and we were back on it again on Monday fully focused and in the meantime the league is our priority.”

Steven Pressley’s Dundee are also on six points, behind fifth-placed Saints on goal difference, having played a game more.

Robinson said: “Steven’s come in, he’s signed a lot of players and he’s signed really, really well and he’s trying to put his own stamp and identity onto the football club and you can see that progressing.

“I can see real signs of improvement. So we know we’re in for a really, really tough game.”