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The team makes the short trip to Arbroath this weekend, still buzzing after the superb display, and crucial win, against Queen’s Park.

That victory opened up a five point cushion over the teams below us, and boss Jim McIntyre is keen to maintain that:

“We all know the importance of Saturday’s game. Every match is key in this division, but the ones against your nearest rivals obviously carry a bit more weight. The boys were flying in training this week, and I sense they are up for the challenge.”

The impact on the squad of the win over Queen’s, and the defensive solidity shown that night, is not lost on full-back Shay Logan:

“Since I’ve been here, we hadn’t beaten them, so that was brilliant, and a real confidence boost.”

“We’ve been strong at home, since the change of shape it’s helped Mitch to have big Gerry up alongside him, we’re creating more, and as a defender, it was great to get the clean sheet. Big Stu came in for his first game in goal, and he was excellent, I’d have given him man of the match.

“So, after all that, we’re in a really good frame of mind.

“If you’ve got a solid back four/five it gives you a real chance. What you have to do is avoid the silly mistakes, don’t give teams easy chances, and we have done that a few times, and it’s cost us.

“We’ve got a good unit now. I’m happy playing at left-back, that’s where I started my career, and young Max is doing well on the right. Big Jack has settled, he’s really dominant, and there’s Reynolds alongside him, so we’ll be looking to build on that clean sheet.”

Shay believes the combinations on both flanks are developing, and can play a big part in the side’s future success:

“Max and Luis Longstaff have been linking well on the right, and I’ve got Scully on my side. He’s a horse, he’s a dog, he does all the nasty things, and he allows me to get forward. So, it’s definitely working.”

Contrary to earlier reports, Mitch Megginson is available for this one, his suspension doesn’t kick-in until next weekend, and the manager has good options, with only long-term injury victim, Kyle McClelland, definitely ruled out:

“As ever, there are a few players carrying knocks, and they will be monitored, but we’re in a good place right now, and whoever gets the nod will, I’m sure, give their all for the team.

“It will be a tough challenge, it’s rarely easy against any of Dick Campbell’s sides, but we are ready to meet that head-on.”

Logan sees the visit to Gayfield as a big opportunity to lay a marker down:

“We’re in a position now where we can move on.

“The Hamilton game was awful, dropping the points we did, that should never have happened, but we have another chance on Saturday, and if we beat Arbroath, we’re eight points clear of them.

“Do that, and you’re just two or three games from targeting third or fourth place; that’s the kind of league it is.

“We deserved to beat them earlier in the season here at the Balmoral. Obviously, it’ll be a different game, they’re at home and I know the wind’s bad down there, so we have to be mindful of that, but it’s the same for both teams.

“We just have to go down there and put on a performance.”

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