Last Updated: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:46
Gus MacPherson has told his St Mirren side to approach their CIS Cup semi-final showdown with Hearts in a positive manner.
The Buddies boss says the off-field problems at Tynecastle - Hearts sacked boss Csaba Laszlo and quickly replaced him with Jim Jefferies last week - need to be ignored and he has urged his side to go on the offensive to try and book a final place.
He said: "It is important that we start the game against Hearts in the right fashion and be as positive as we possibly can.
"It is difficult to second guess what is going to happen in any game. For me, the most important thing will be the start of the game as was evident from our last two games.
"Performance-wise, there wasn't much difference in the games but the difference was in the first five to 10 minutes."
He added: "It will be a difficult game, but every game is - for all that these are the games you want to be involved in.
"We have worked really hard to get to this point of the tournament and we look forward to the challenge that we will face against Hearts."
St Mirren could include recent loan signings Rory Loy and Graham Carey in their squad for showdown.
Meanwhile, Hearts have confirmed the capture of Ryan Stevenson from Ayr United for a five-figure fee while fellow midfielder Stephen Husband has joined Championship side Blackpool for a nominal sum.