Trevor Carson insists it is great having a tough manager like Stephen Robinson.
The Northern Irish international will be hoping that he can shut out Ross County today to lead St Mirren to a potential third-placed spot in the Premiership.
Safe hands Carson, who has worked under Robinson at Motherwell and now Saints, feels he has a great relationship with his gaffer – despite the multiple run-ins over the years.
However, he reckons this pushes the group to be at their best as he feels the passion Robinson has for the game feeds through to his players.
Carson said: “I’ve worked with the manager over the years.
“In football, you have to adapt and evolve. He’s never lost that passion which, for me, is his big thing.
“I’ve always said he could sell snow to the Eskimos! He’s one who, if he’s got a way of playing and believes in it, two or three sessions is all it takes for him to get the team to believe in it.
“That’s stuck with him over the years, that passion.
“Teams change. When he came in here, he had a way he wanted to play but realised with the players we had it maybe didn’t suit.
“That shows you how adaptable he is. Deep down he’s a good guy who cares for his players. He said the stuff you can do for free: run faster, go in the gym longer, your dedication.
“We have to be the best at that stuff because money can’t buy it. That’s something that has always stuck with me.
“He drills that into the boys – and you don’t run further if you don’t believe in the manager you have. He’s as tough as any manager.
“I’ve probably had more run-ins with him than any other gaffer but I’ve got the best relationship with him. But sometimes you need that. There’s an honesty. We’re honest guys and he likes people speaking their minds.
“He allows that. There’s a lot of respect there from the lads.”
The 34-year-old shot-stopper has been doing his homework and been seeing what it takes to become a top-six side.
In his spare time, the Buddies goalie has been watching teams such as Motherwell and Dundee United who finished in the top half last season to see how they can replicate that success.
He says that he understands there will be losses along the way but, if you look at teams that have achieved this objective before, they have lost more games than they have won.
Carson said: “I was looking at Dundee United and Motherwell who finished top six last year. They lost 14 and 16 games each in the season, more than they won.
“So, for us, the top six would be a massive success. You know there’s going to be defeats in there along the way.
“It’s important not to get too low when you lose and just keep that consistency. The manager has been great at that.
“We’ve had a good week. We want to finish in the top six and if you have a goal or ambition you’ve got to do your homework and see what it’s going to take to get there.
“I was checking up on it – maybe I’ve got too much time on my hands!”
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