Stephen Robinson: St Mirren are evolving as a football side

Stephen Robinson is hoping his St Mirren side can continue to evolve after edging closer to securing a top-six place in the cinch Premiership.

Mikael Mandron played a key role as the Buddies cruised to a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone.

With six games remaining before the league split, St Mirren have an eight-point advantage over Hibernian in sixth, and still harbour aspirations of European qualification.

“I think we’ve come a long way, this group of players have worked ever so hard to keep improving,” Robinson said.

“Guys like Mika (Mandron) and Charles Dunne are improving even when they are a little bit older, and wanting to buy into what we are trying to do.

“We are evolving as a football side, as a better passing side and everyone is buying into that.

“We believe we can now push on and get our just rewards.

“I’m taking nothing for granted, football can bite you in the bum if you don’t do the simple things well.”

St Mirren face a long trip north on Tuesday evening for a meeting with Ross County.

The Staggies claimed a vital three points after Josh Sims struck in stoppage time to clinch a 3-2 victory over relegation rivals Livingston.

Robinson is anticipating a tough encounter and feels playing away from the difficult surface in Paisley will help his team.

“Ross County have had a good result in the last minute,” he added.

“They’ll be buoyed and we’ll have to go up and put in the same kind of disciplined performance. We’ll pass the ball better as it will be a much better surface.

“If you’d given me that situation that we’re in right now where we’re eight points clear of seventh, we’d very much have taken it.”

Craig Levein felt his St Johnstone side put in their worst performance of his time in charge.

They rarely threatened and were wasteful in possession throughout during an abject display.

The Perth Saints are now just two points ahead of Ross County in the relegation play-off position and have lost their last four league fixtures.

“I’ve spoken after other matches and never once really said we didn’t roll up our sleeves and get involved in a fight for second balls in particular,” Levein said.

“The type of game it was, it’s what we needed to be good at.

“I’m hoping it’s a one-off, these things happen – I just think that’s as poor as we’ve been.”

St Johnstone have given an update on Adama Sidibeh after the striker collapsed on the stroke of full-time.

The 25-year-old is in a stable condition following lengthy treatment on the pitch.

The statement read: “The club can confirm that Adama Sidibeh is in a stable condition.

“The striker has been taken to a local hospital in Paisley for further medical checks and the club will update on his condition in due course.

“St Johnstone Football Club would like to thank the staff of St Mirren for their help and support at the end of today’s Scottish Premiership fixture.”