Kilmarnock v St Mirren Don't believe the hype – Steven Thompson's target remains nothing more than a top-six finish

Saturday 22 September 2012

Steven Thompson believes the start made by St Mirren this season should be seen as a challenge for his team-mates to maintain their drive for the top six for the duration of the campaign.

Steven Thompson feels 'in the zone' this season. Picture: SNS

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Martin McMillan

Danny Lennon's team are in third place with nine points from six games and victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park could take them to the top of the table. Thompson, however, has been round the block enough times to know that their form is no indicator of how things will look in the spring.

"It has been a positive start but you don't want to get carried away, it is only six games," he said. "I have seen it happen a million times when people are saying things are brilliant. Also, I have seen teams have bad starts and people write them off. I would like to put the reins on a bit and say 'let's not get too excited'. It is far too early in the season to make judgments."The start is nice, but it doesn't mean anything really, it is about being consistent, not just for six games but for 38 games. Look at Dundee United last year, they had a poor start to the season and ended up finishing fourth."We have been open about our aims, we want to get into the top six and to get there we are going to have to be consistent. When you move into the last third of the season, that's when you want to hit peak form."It is going to be a very difficult game against Kilmarnock. They play expansive football and so do we, it's not two teams closing out the midfield. So generally, it is an attractive game of football."Thompson moved to the team he supports after a career that included Champions League football with Rangers and international caps for Scotland, but he is enjoying his job as much as he ever has. "I love it," he said. "Physically, I feel the same as I did when I was 28 and I can get into a better place in my head as an experienced player. I was talking to my wife and brother the other day, saying how I struggle to think of a year in my 17-year career that I have enjoyed as much as last year and that includes trophy-winning years at Rangers and getting promotion with Burnley – although that would be the season that would run it close."Everything is in place as far as my family life is concerned and I am very settled and relaxed, and if you can get into a relaxed state mentally then it definitely helps you on the pitch. I feel as if I am in that zone at the minute."Gary Harkins, who may fill a similar role in the Kilmarnock team to that Thompson takes up for St Mirren, is less positive about his own form. The versatile former Dundee player, who has played in both midfield and attack for Kilmarnock, began this season with regrets over how he had performed during his first 12 months at Rugby Park.The 27-year-old hit two goals during the glorious run to victory in the Scottish Communities League Cup, but only scored once in the league. Harkins netted a brilliant solo goal against Motherwell earlier this season from an advanced midfield role and Paul Heffernan's broken collarbone has put more responsibility on his shoulders."I put the pressure on myself," the former Blackburn trainee said. "I had a disappointing season last year. I thought I had started this season a lot better and then daft head knocks slowed me down a bit. But I'm looking forward to getting back into it and, hopefully, scoring a few more goals. I didn't score enough goals or create enough last year, and I'll, hopefully, do more this year. I did okay but as a player you always want to do a bit better and that's what I have set my sights on this year."Harkins may partner Cillian Sheridan, who is set to make his home debut. Harkins said: "He has looked really sharp in training. It will be good to get playing with him and create a few goals for him. He's very quick and strong and he's a good footballer – the sort of front man you want in your team. "

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Kilmarnock v St Mirren Don't believe the hype – Steven Thompson's target remains nothing more than a top-six finish

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