ST MIRREN manager Jack Ross did not attempt to hide his anger after watching his side under-perform in their friendly at Alloa.

And if the players believed beforehand that such matches don’t hugely matter and that this time of the summer was all about working on fitness and sharpness, then they found that to be untrue following a 0-0 draw.

Ross hasn’t had much to get upset about for a long time at the club, but the weekend’s display meant he had to tell some home truths in the dressing room.

Ross said: “The performance wasn’t close to being good enough, not by a long shot, and I told the players that.

“That’s no disrespect in terms of the result. I have huge respect for this club and their manager and players were good.

“From last year I’ve said that I will publicly say what I’ve said to the players. We were short in many aspects. We didn’t show the right intensity, in our attitude towards the game and in the energy levels. We weren’t good enough.

“I told the players that they had to be better if we want to achieve what we can achieve. The players lacked individual drive.

“Maybe they are not fit enough. They tell me they are and they should be. So then it’s down to aptitude and when you don’t show that then this is what happens.

"That’s not been the case at this club for a long time.

“Make no mistake, they are under no illusions as to where they sit with me and that type of performance.”

There was at least one positive for Ross. The performance of goalkeeper Ross Stewart, signed from Albion Rovers in the summer, was a bright spot.

The 22-year-old is battling for a start with Craig Samson and seems to have edged himself to the front of that race.

His manager said: “I have been pleased with Ross since he’s come into the club.

“He didn’t have a lot to do at times, but his all-round display was good, he made a couple of saves and kept a clean sheet.

As for everyone else, it wasn’t good enough.”

A further blow is that loss of Kyle Macgennis faces at least eight weeks out with a medial ligament injury. The midfielder will find out this week whether he needs surgery.