THE company Ellis Plummer currently keeps is a far cry from what the St Mirren man is used to.

As a graduate through the Manchester City ranks, the 20-year-old centre-half is more accustomed to lining up next to Belgian superstar Vincent Kompany in star-studded training games than rolling up his sleeves in the SPFL Premiership.

After joining the Buddies in the summer on a season-long loan, Plummer has been an impressive figure at the heart of the Saints defence, even if he hasn't been able to plug their leaky back line.

The latest spill of points came at Rugby Park where the hosts ran out 2-1 winners with Adam Drury's leveller for St Mirren being bookended by goals from Kilmarnock's Robbie Muirhead and Mark Connolly.

It's a result which leaves Tommy Craig's side on zero points after five matches on league duty, with Saturday's strike their first goal in the Premiership this season.

Plummer admits life at the wrong end of the table is not what he's used to as a City player, with him generally being part of a title-challenging Under-21 squad.

But speaking to SportTimes, the young defender revealed he'd not swap the experience of his current Buddies battle for anything.

"I was at Oldham last season on loan and they were mid-table, and at City in the Under-21s league we were always at the top, so I've never experienced this kind of thing before," he said.

"It's a different kind of pressure. But that's why I came on loan here, to play first-team football and have all the stresses and strains on you. I want to get that experience. I'm glad I'm here and I'm just going to work hard to get us out of it."

St Mirren boss Craig had his players in for extra attacking practice over the international break. It showed in some of their efforts given the amount of chances they created, even if the finishing wasn't quite up to scratch.

Both Kilmarnock goals came against the run of play in a second half the Paisley team controlled, and Plummer is confident the display, and their first goal of the campaign, is proof Saints' season is showing signs of promise.

"It's been the same with most of the games this season, we're just not getting any luck whatsoever. But we're playing well, it will come," he said.

"Yeah, it's hard to take, especially when I thought we at least deserved a draw. To come away with nothing hurts.

"Everyone is just disappointed. We're playing well, we're making chances, by and large we defended well. Their two goals were nothing goals that could have been prevented, though.

"We're not getting luck at the moment, but hopefully when we get our first win we'll be all right."

While life at the wrong end of the Premiership table is a far cry from the glamour of the Barclays Premier League champions, Plummer reckons the experience at St Mirren Park will be invaluable upon his return to the Etihad at the end of the season.

The talented defender has already mixed it with Kompany & Co during training, and he hopes his glowing performances in black and white can open the door to more opportunities in light blue.

He added: "A lot of the lads get a call-up to train with the first team and that happened with me a few times.

"Vincent is the perfect role model for a centre-back. He helps me as well. He talks to us, and even just watching him you can learn so much. It's great to train with him.

"I'm hoping to use that experience here. But it works both ways. When I go back to City at the end of the season hopefully I'll have improved to become a much better player. Maybe I can train with him and the rest of the team more often, and then see what happens."