BY KYLE GUNN 
 
ST Mirren boss Oran Kearney believes some time spent with their families will be good for his players.

The Northern Irishman gave his side a few days off after their important win against Livingston last week. 

And while the arrangements had already been made, Kearney is hoping to reap the benefits of it against Kilmarnock tonight. 

He said: “We only started back on Wednesday so after the game on Saturday I had it pre-arranged that the boys had time off because the Kilmarnock game was switched to the Monday. 
 
"We were out of sync by a few days so they got Monday and Tuesday off. It gave the foreign guys the chance to maybe go home and see some family and friends.They were told a few weeks ago and then they had time to book flights.
 
“Time away can be as good time spent here. As much as I’ve talked about building a team spirit here within the group, the added extra of getting three points and then unleashing the boys to go home and see friends, family, wives, girlfriends, mistresses or whatever else is brilliant. It’s brilliant for them as they come back with a spring in their step and ready to go for the next cycle of games.” 
 
Kearney has been delighted with recent results which have seen Saints climb to within just one point of second bottom Dundee. 
 
And he is looking to stretch the Buddies unbeaten run to four games against the Ayrshire side live on TV. 
 
But the Northern Irishman knows exactly what type of threat Steve Clarke’s team will pose.
 
He continued: “We had a couple of draws and on Saturday it looked like a third draw in a row and that might have undercut the first two. 
 
"Going in against Livingston we put ourselves under pressure but I felt we needed the three points because that then would make the points earned against Hearts and Aberdeen super points. 
 
"If we hadn’t won then I’m not sure we would have the added value from the previous two draws. It was great to get that result and to give everyone a lift.
 
"I’m not sure there is a good time to play them. From the research I’ve done on them, they’ve been one of the most consistent teams in Scotland over the past 18 months.
 
"What’s crystal clear from our point of view is that we need to be absolutely on it if we’re going to get something from the game. They beat us 2-1 earlier in the season where we had a cracking first half and they fought back with a cracking second half to win the game. 
 
"What I want tonight is a complete performance where we do the business for 90 minutes."