John Sutton has warned that St Mirren will have to get their act together quickly to avoid another disappointing season in the Championship.

Sutton returned to the club in the summer after nine years away, and wasted no time in rediscovering his shooting boots for the Buddies as he netted a late equaliser in the Renfrewshire derby.

The Saints fell to a disappointing defeat to Raith Rovers last weekend though, leaving them without a league victory in their opening two league fixtures.

Sutton is concerned that if they don’t start performing to their full ability that they may get left behind again this season in what he believes is the most competitive Championship ever.

He knows though that a difficult task lies ahead today, as Alex Rae’s side welcome title favourites Hibernian to Paisley.

“Last season was certainly not a reflection of the ability in the changing room, but that doesn’t count for anything in all honesty,” Sutton said.

“Our performances haven’t been near what we are capable, and while it is early days, we have to get our act together as soon as possible. We’ve got a good squad of players but it’s a tough league.

“I don’t think our performances have been where we would have liked them to be, either going forward or at the back, so hopefully it’s just a case of us all bedding in.

“We’re under no illusions though that we’re going to have to improve, and obviously Saturday’s game will be a tricky one because Hibs are one of the strongest teams in Scotland, let alone the strongest team in the Championship in terms of their strength and depth.

“If you look at the quality of players that Hibs have got then you would expect them to be right up there at the top, but I’m sure that they are like us and they’re not looking too far ahead.

“It’s up to us to try and get a result tomorrow and that could really get our season up and running.

“Things have been good off the pitch since I came back, so hopefully we can get our act together on the pitch as well soon.

“It was good to open my account again, it’s always nice to score, especially when you’re 1-0 down at home to Morton. That’s a good goal to get!

“It’s a shame that we couldn’t have kicked on up at Raith but we were well-beaten on the day.”

While many were surprised that a proven goalscorer at Premiership level like Sutton decided to drop down to the Championship, he says that there is little difference between many of the sides in both divisions.

He is confident though that the strength of the St Mirren squad can stand up against their rivals for promotion.

“It’s incredible how good the league is and how competitive it is,” he said.

“When they were in the top league Hibs were up finishing third and Dundee United were top six on most occasions.

“Even Dunfermline coming up are a big club, so it’s such a tough league, but we feel like we have got ability in our squad and that we can compete with these teams.

“It’s all good and well talking a good game though, we have to go out and do it on the pitch.

“If you look at our club’s facilities, the training ground, the stadium and the brilliant support we have, then theoretically we should be up near the top.

“It doesn’t work like that though, it’s about the eleven players on the pitch on a Saturday and the harsh fact is that we haven’t been good enough so far. It’s early in the season though and there’s plenty of points to play for.

“The manager has been very good and he’s assembled a good squad of players, it’s up to us to repay his faith now.”