ST MIRREN ace Kevin McGowne believes the fact his team are struggling to attract new players highlights how well the current Love Street squad have done since winning promotion to the SPL.

Boss Gus MacPherson is trying to add some depth before the transfer window shuts next week but is finding it tough to entice new faces, with the Paisley club losing out to Falkirk for the services of 29-year-old Carl Finnigan.

While McGowne would like to see a couple of new signings added in the window, he also understands the predicament of the St Mirren manager.

"I think the fact the lad from Newcastle went to Falkirk shows we really aren't in a position to compete with any other SPL team financially," he said.

"They were obviously in a position to offer him a better deal and that's fair enough.

"But to me it underlines the fact that the rest of the squad should be given credit for what they have achieved so far this season. We are still nine points ahead of Dunfermline and still confident we can stay up.

"I would say that the manager has the lowest budget in the league to work with, but I still feel we have held our own at times this season and we have been able to compete on the pitch.

"I know that the manager would like to be able to freshen things up a little before the window shuts. It always gives everyone a lift when players come in.

"But all we're really interested in is getting onto the pitch and playing and we're happy enough to leave that side of things to the manager and the club to sort out."

St Mirren lost again at the weekend when they were on the receiving end of a 5-1 hammering from Celtic, but McGowne has maintained there is no despondency in the Love Street dressing room.

"We really have to take something from these home games that are coming up," he said.

"It can be difficult when you are away from home to get anything, so we really have to press home the advantage when we are at Love Street, starting with Aberdeen this weekend.

"We are all still upbeat despite the fact it has been a sticky patch for us to go through.

"No-one was under any illusions at the start of the season when we were doing so well because we knew that it would be tough at this stage of the season when we were fighting to stay in the SPL.

"That's the way it has worked out, but there is no-one here tripping over their bottom lip or anything like that.

"The confidence is still high and there is a feeling if we can get a few points then we can kick on from there.

"The manager has a few options for the weekend but we're looking forward to it and optimistic that we can take something from Aberdeen."