ORAN Kearney believes he can use the 'Steve Clarke blueprint' to turn St Mirren's fortunes around.

Killie boss Clarke, who celebrated the first anniversary of taking over at Rugby Park this week, inherited a side looking set for a relegation scrap but transformed them into a top-six outfit.

So far during 2018, no team has taken more points than the Ayrshiremen - and they could find themselves top of the table by tomorrow night if they see off Saints in Paisley and other results go their way.

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But Killie's turnaround in fortunes under Clarke has given Kearney hope that he can inspire a similar rejuvenation for his team.

He said: "That's the aim. The journey they have been on since Steve took over has been really impressive.

"Of course that is ideally what we would like to achieve here. I'm sure that he would be the first to tell you it all came about through a huge amount of hard work and graft.

"Those are the key ingredients we need to put in place here if we are to have a chance of doing that."

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St Mirren have been boosted by the return of Adam Hammill (left) and Danny Mullen 

Kearney is in no doubt of the size of the task facing him, however.

St Mirren have only taken four points from eight games this season and their last appearance saw Aberdeen dish out a 4-1 hammering at Pittodrie.

But the Northern Irishman has told his players they cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves while they sit just one point off bottom spot.

He said: "We have performed in bits of games but, if we go out and perform for 90 minutes like we did against Hibs a couple of weeks ago, we'll give ourselves a heck of a chance to get a result.

"There is a good buzz in the dressing room, to be fair to the players, and we've had good chats over the last couple of weeks about mindset and how it has to change.

"We know the challenge that lies ahead. There are going to be obstacles and disappointments.

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"We have to analyse them but we also have to make sure we don't walk about with the lip out after a game like Aberdeen and feel sorry for yourselves.

"If you do carry that into a game like Saturday's, that lip will get damaged even more."