STEVEN THOMPSON hopes St Mirren can spark their survival bid into life against Celtic on Friday - but admits it is their two games next week that will shape their top flight ambitions.

Gary Teale's side head into the Hoops clash four points adrift at the foot of the table and determined to close the gap before Motherwell and Ross County face Kilmarnock and Dundee United respectively the following day.

After the visit of Ronny Deila's side, the Saints make the trip to Fir Park next Tuesday and then host County a week on Saturday before the top flight splits for the end of season shoot-out.

Defeat in all three games in the coming days could leave the Buddies cast adrift and staring down the barrel of relegation to the Championship.

And Paisley talisman Thompson knows it is a defining period for the Saints squad as they look to finally find some form this term.

He said: "Everyone is very much aware of the position we are in. We need to show the right attitude on Friday, and the game on Tuesday is then even more important. For me, that is the bigger game.

"On Friday, the first thing we need to do is get the attitude right and show that desire and commitment.

"When you play Celtic, you need to carry a bit of luck, but you need to be well organised defensively and minimise their opportunities. It is difficult but we have been working on that.

"Any point against anybody at this stage is crucial for us. It doesn't matter whether it is against Celtic, or anyone else in the league.

"The important thing is that over the next three games we pick up points.

"I don't think we can lose on Tuesday against Motherwell. I feel we can't come away from Fir Park with a defeat.

"We want to keep within touching distance of Motherwell and Ross County and that is the two games after Celtic.

"We are looking to take six points from those two games and if we can do that then we give ourselves a real opportunity.

"The next three games are vital and after this run you will have a clearer idea of how things will go after the split."

While their two relegation rivals went into the international break with some momentum behind them as Motherwell beat Hamilton 4-0 and County stretched their unbeaten run to six matches, St Mirren suffered another defeat as they fell further behind in the standings.

A 2-0 reverse to St Johnstone was another tough blow for the Buddies squad to take but Thompson hopes their efforts during the domestic shutdown will pay dividends sooner rather than later.

He said: "We had a couple of days off and then we were back in on Monday to start working towards the game on Friday and hopefully we can implement a few things against Celtic.

"You always want a game after a defeat, you want to rectify things as quickly as possible. But the break has given us a chance to work on a few things.

"After a disappointing game against St Johnstone, it is important that we are a bit harder to beat, are a bit more organised and show more character and fight, especially at home in what will be a very difficult game."