Griffiths is striking fear into Fraser

MARCUS FRASER believes Leigh Griffiths could pose an even bigger threat to St Mirren now the striker is playing for his future.

Currently on loan with Dundee, Griffiths will be released by Celtic following the expiry of his contract at Parkhead.

The 31-year-old has started three of the last four Premiership matches for the Dens Park side, with manager James McPake interested in a longer-term deal after praising his recent application.

Sitting two points off the bottom of the Premiership, Dundee host St Mirren today in need of victory to ease their relegation fears.

And Saints defender Fraser is wary of Griffiths making an impact as the ex-Scotland man looks to remind clubs of his talent.

‘It could make him more dangerous,’ said the 27-year-old. ‘Personally, I try not to think about that kind of thing too much. I just focus on giving 100 per cent.

‘But Griffiths is playing for his future, so that might give him that extra five, ten per cent.

‘For me, though, I’m just going to try and play my own game and aim to be consistent. If I can do that, hopefully it’s enough to stop him.

‘You give Leigh a sniff of goal and nine times out of ten the ball’s in the back of the net.

‘He’s a brilliant finisher and for 95 minutes you need to be aware of him. He can score goals from inside the box, two yards out, or from 40 yards.

‘Just look at the goal he scored at Aberdeen a few weeks ago. So it will be a tough test and hopefully the boys at the back — after our clean sheet at Ayr and the other night — can build on that again and we can get another clean sheet.’

Griffiths’ strike against Aberdeen came from a direct free-kick, making Fraser all the more cautious about the concession of needless fouls in dangerous areas.

‘We have to avoid that,’ he continued. ‘He’s got some strike on him. I’m sure the manager will show us his recent goals. He’s a penalty-box striker but he’s also capable of netting with a wonder goal from outside the box.

‘I think you need to have one eye on that, too, and shut him down as quickly as possible.’

St Mirren, though, will make the trip to Dens Park in confident mood, having posted three successive wins.

Winger Jay Henderson started each of those matches, with Fraser feeling the 19-year-old has benefited from adding some muscle to go with his impressive skill.

‘He’s always had the raw materials,’ said the defender. ‘He’s got that kind of short, sharp style and has the technical ability, too.

‘Jay’s been working hard in the gym and kind of building himself up. I think that can only help him in the long run. He just needs to stay focused and keep his performance at a high standard.

‘When he maybe first came into the team, he was still young. That was a year or so ago and a lot can happen in that period, including with his gym work.

‘I hope he continues to do so and that he can take his game to another level.’

Dundee manager McPake, meanwhile, has vowed his players can handle the pressure of their survival battle.

The Dark Blues ended a run of six consecutive cinch Premiership defeats when they drew 0-0 with bottom club St Johnstone on Wednesday.

McPake’s side are two points ahead of their rivals but there is a gap of four points to the team above them, Ross County, as they look to get out of the bottom two.

Today’s visit of eighth-placed St Mirren offers the chance to drag the Buddies back into the fight but defeat would see the Paisley side moving 11 points ahead.

McPake told Dee TV: ‘We are in pressure games but would we rather this than fighting at the top end of the Championship to get promoted?

‘Give me this pressure all day because we are going to get out of this. We are going to work night and day to get the right players in.

‘We’ve got a great backroom staff who are working ever so hard, we’ve got Gordon (Strachan), who is a great voice to go to, we have got John (Nelms) and Tim (Keyes), who back us with signings. We are going to get this right.

‘We need to stay in this division. First and foremost, consolidate in this division and then build for the future.’