ST Mirren boss Oran Kearney says he’s seeing the benefits of having a settled squad, writes Kyle Gunn

Saints host Premiership table toppers Celtic tomorrow night after getting off bottom spot by beating Dundee on Saturday.

And Kearney, who managed a goalless draw against the Glasgow side in his first game in charge in September, believes his side have momentum.

He said: "You hope it pays dividends but you are only judged on results but we are more than happy with the turnaround.

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"We are more than happy with the players we have brought in and are more than confident that these players have added to the group and improved us a team.

"The key thing is to achieve results alongside that. Saturday was nice but there was no big party in the changing room after it.

"There was no big back slapping, it was three points and the players are more than aware of that. That’s all it was and there’s a huge amount of football still to play.

The Gazette: The Saints could soon be boosted by the return of Kyle Magennis The Saints could soon be boosted by the return of Kyle Magennis

"We hope to have momentum and that’s what you strive for. I’ve been in most Thursday’s discussing our season all along and there’s no doubting that one of the best motivators you can get for players is results.

"We know the performance out on the pitch is one of biggest confidence boosters you can get. So we are hoping the players take a huge amount out of Saturday."

Elsewhere, Kearney was delighted to welcome midfielder Kyle Magennis back into training this week.

Magennis has not featured since tearing his hamstring in a 2-2 draw at Easter Road in early December.

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And, having made his return as a late substitute against Dundee on Saturday, the Northern Irishman confirmed skipper Stephen McGinn was progressing well after his hernia operation.

Kearney added: "No different concerns that Saturday. Kyle Magennis was into training this morning and Stephen McGinn trained as well.

"With Kyle I am just not sure if it is too soon but it is nice to get those bodies out onto the training ground."

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