ST MIRREN manager Jack Ross insists recent praise of his team didn't go to their heads in the 2-0 defeat at Raith Rovers.

The Buddies won four of their last five games prior to their visit to Kirkcaldy. That run included a 2-0 win over Championship leaders Hibs and a 4-1 defeat to Celtic in which the Buddies led for 50 minutes and prompted Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers to brand Ross' side "The best team we have faced domestically this season."

However Ross is adamant his squad didn't believe the hype and after reducing the gap to safety in recent weeks to seven points, says things can turn back in the Paisley club's favour with a win over Dunfermline on Saturday.

He said: "Players are not as daft as people think they are. They understand they received those plaudits because they deserved them because they did play very well in those games.

"But they also understand the position we are in, it doesn't change the position we are in. But what we have have done recently is get back in the mix.

"It's a missed opportunity to get closer to the teams above us and bring Raith back into it as well. We were detached not that long ago but we are not now. It's a difficult road ahead of us but we are alive and kicking, it can change very quickly, we win on Saturday and the whole complexion changes again."