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SAINTS ORDERED TO SHUN SEVENTH HEAVEN
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson has warned his players not to get carried away by their 7-0 rout of Dumbarton.
Billy Mehmet grabbed a hat-trick on Tuesday night as the Irn-Bru Third Division side were swept away in a Co-operative Insurance Cup clash at Love Street.
The crushing second-round win helped exorcise the ghost of last season's defeat by East Fife at the same stage, which MacPherson admitted had a lasting effect on his side's confidence.
They only scored twice in their subsequent five Clydesdale Bank Premier League games, conceding 14 times, before getting their season back on track.
"It was only natural, straight after we lost 5-1 to Celtic," MacPherson said.
"By the same token, when you get a result like we did on Tuesday night, you cannot get carried away with it.
"You have got to get switched back on to the rigours of the SPL, how tough it is, how physical it is."
Saints host Aberdeen on Saturday - a team they have failed to beat in six attempts since rejoining the top flight.
"I feel we have improved, but we have got to make sure we play the way we can do," MacPherson added.
"If you drop even 10% at this level, if you don't defend properly, if you don't concentrate for 90 minutes, you will get punished.
"Aberdeen in the last couple of seasons have finished third and fourth, so we have to be at our best."
MacPherson recognised his side got their goals at the right time against Dumbarton, but he was pleased to see standards being maintained throughout by players vying for places.
Former Dundee United winger Steven Robb grabbed a debut goal and fit-again Craig Dargo notched after coming off the bench with summer signing Dennis Wyness.
"We got the third goal before half-time and the fourth just after and Dumbarton are demoralised at that point," he said.
"That allows us to make changes. Players coming on, Dargo and Wyness, are desperate to show what they can do, so it enabled us to keep the pressure on.
"I think the squad is stronger, we have added quality, guys who have played in the SPL for a number of years.
"I think the players understand there is competition.
"It keeps everyone on their toes - the level of performance we have had since the start of the season has to be maintained.
"They know if it drops, there is someone waiting to take their place."
