ST MIRREN manager Gus MacPherson will today step up his attempts to bring in new faces before the end of the transfer window.

And Love Street supporters will be delighted if any attempts to improve the squad are successful after watching their side go down 2-0 to Aberdeen at the weekend.

MacPherson has so far failed to sign any potential targets because of Saints' budget restrictions.

But the Buddies gaffer is determined to bring in one or two new players who he believes could help his side avoid a relegation battle later in the season and ensure their SPL status for next term.

He said: "There are still a few days remaining before the end of the transfer window and I'm hopeful we can get something done.

"We've already tried to bring some new faces to the squad, but it is proving difficult as it's not as easy as just saying: We want that player, we'll sign him'.

"They've got to be available and then we have to agree a financial package with the player.

"There are a lot of clubs trying to sign new players and other teams have more money to play with than us.

"But we are working away on some things and I'm hopeful we can add one or two before the deadline. I'm looking at all sorts of options, loan deals and longer term transfers.

"I'm on the phone to agents and contacts every day, but I think everyone realises that it's the last few days that most deals go through.

"So, as I've said, we hope to be in a position to improve the squad this week."

Saints went down to two goals from Aberdeen defender Andrew Considine - his first for the club - and Mac made it clear he expects much more from his players in the coming games.

He said: "The first half was our worst performance of the season and I told the players that at the interval.

"There was an improvement, but you can't give teams two goals and then start playing. It was the same recently against Dundee United in the Scottish Cup when we only started playing after we went 2-0 behind.

"If Kirk Broadfoot had converted the goalscoring opportunity he had at the start of the second half, then it might have been a different game. Aberdeen would have been under a bit more pressure and we'd have got a lift.

"But we didn't score and it was a poor result for us. We've got to pick up as many points as possible at Love Street."

MacPherson, though, still believes his players can start turning things round.

But he added: "We've got to get back to basics and make ourselves difficult to beat.

"We've got to make teams work a lot harder for their goals and, if we can do that, it takes the pressure off the team and we can try and create more chances at the other end and get scoring goals.

"Hopefully we'll get a few breaks over the next few weeks and get points on the board."