THOMAS REILLY insists that St Mirren's fans should be venting their anger at the team's players - and not manager Tommy Craig.

The Buddies starlet has seen and heard his gaffer come in for serious stick from supporters in recent weeks as the Paisley side have struggled.

Last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Hamilton Accies was the club's tenth loss in 14 Premiership matches so far.

Many fans have had enough and have started calling for Craig's head. But Reilly says the Saints squad should take their fair share of the blame.

The 20-year-old forward said: "A lot of what is getting said to the gaffer is unfair. But we are behind him and hopefully we can get a good result this weekend to kick-start our season.

"The heckling is harsh and I just try to blank it out. But that's football, I suppose, when you're not getting results.

"We are the ones on the pitch but the fans are not shouting at us, they are shouting at the boss.

"I'd rather they were not shouting at anyone. I would rather they were behind the team.

"But it's understandable that they're frustrated when we are sitting second-bottom of the league."

With an injury crisis continuing to cripple Craig's squad, Reilly's been thrown into the fray in recent weeks and asked to play in the middle of the park, despite being a natural forward.

But the Scotland Under-19 international knows that the Buddies boys have to become men to stave off relegation.

Reilly said: "I'm from Irvine in Ayrshire but my girlfriend's from Paisley. When I stay in the town I meet Saints fans and chat to them.

"I understand they're frustrated at us not winning games because we are frustrated too. But we're working hard and hopefully we can get a home win against Inverness in the Scottish Cup this Saturday that will give the boys a lot of confidence.

"The supporters don't take it easy on me because I'm one of the younger boys. If I'm not playing well I'd rather be told what I was doing wrong.

"Why go easy on me because I'm a young boy? It's a man's game and I'm playing in the first team so you have to be able to take being shouted at."

"We are working really hard to rectify our problems and hopefully when we get all our players back fit again we will get a result.We know we owe the manager a result."

St Mirren's bid to get back to winning ways could get a welcome boost soon when striker Steven Thompson returns to action.

But Reilly has warned the Paisley public not to expect instant miracles from the 36-year-old talisman, who has won 16 caps for Scotland.

He said: "People think he is going to come back and score a hat-trick in his first game. It's not that easy.

"Thommo is an unbelievable player for us and he has helped me a lot so far.

"Although I've been playing midfield recently, despite being a forward, the advice he has given me has been unbelievable on and off the pitch.

"When you are playing with him he will tell you if what you are doing is right or wrong.

"That is good because you need to know what you're doing wrong and how you can rectify it. He will let you know.

"It is easy to say he is going to come back like Superman and be brilliant for us.

"But it is going to take him a couple of games because he has been out for months.

"However, I hope he comes straight in and does well."