ALAN GOW has only been a St Mirren player for a matter of days.

But the well-travelled forward is convinced there is enough within the Buddies ranks to beat the drop now he has returned home to Scotland.

The former Rangers and Motherwell man put pen to paper last Friday on a deal until the end of the season.

His arrival could not be better timed as Gary Teale's men face a fight to the death to stave off a threat of relegation which has hung over them for months.

Following the departure of Kenny McLean to Aberdeen last month, St Mirren have lost both their games and have only managed to score a single goal.

And with Gow taking the former Saints hero's No.8 jersey, he is confident he can be a positive influence on a side he reckons is already filled with talent.

The 32-year-old said: I have a bit of experience and I have played a lot of games at a lot of clubs at different levels. Hopefully, I can create a few goals or score a few goals.

"There are a lot of bright young players at the club as well as experience.

"Everyone knows if you are in a battle, you have to earn the right to play football. Every game is going to be a battle.

"I have been in a lot of battles at the time but it doesn't matter what age you are, the situation is the same.

"If you don't work and don't earn the right to play, then you will always be beaten.

"It is definitely in our hands though because we have got to play the teams around us and will get to play them again in the split."

It has been a long and winding road to Paisley for the man from Clydebank.

Last playing in Scotland back in the 2010/11 season with St Mirren's relegation rivals Motherwell, Gow has since played for Notts County, Exeter City, Bristol Rovers as well as enduring a year-long stint in Calcutta at East Bengal.

It was an eye-opening spell for the ex-Falkirk protégé in the Indian state, and one that he explains will stay with him.

Gow said: "I was in Calcutta and it was quite a life experience.

"The football standard wasn't that great but financially it was too good to turn down.

"Trevor Morgan was the manager at the time who was reserve manager at Hull City.

"It was a different way of life and the class was different. You get people who are rich and have money but there is no working class...they are poor."

The sights he witnessed in Bengal may put some of St Mirren's troubles in perspective.

However, Gow appreciates the seriousness of Saints' current predicament with Hamilton Accies coming to town this afternoon.

He said: "You are playing for people's jobs - players are battling for contracts which may not be there if they are relegated.

"It is a tough battle and it affects everyone's lives depending what league you are playing in.

"This is a game we need to win."