STEVEN THOMPSON has admitted St Mirren could not have picked a worse time to travel to Celtic Park than tomorrow.

The high-flying Hoops underlined their status as SPFL Premiership title stick-ons with a 4-0 midweek mauling of Kilmarnock to stretch their lead at the top of the table to a staggering 18 points.

Neil Lennon's Bhoys are unbeaten in all 23 top-flight games, winning 20 and drawing three, and having failed to have their defence penetrated since November 23.

With Saints slipping to a dismal 2-1 defeat at Hearts on Wednesday, the Paisley men have been left looking over their shoulders as they are just three points above second-bottom Partick Thistle, who occupy the relegation play-off berth.

Thompson said: "We really could have picked a better time to be heading to Parkhead.

"Celtic are flying right now and it is incredible they have gone 23 league matches in the Premiership without defeat.

"We hoped to be going to Celtic on the back of a win at Hearts, or at least a positive result, and we haven't done ourselves any favours. But we can't dwell on that.

"When you go to Celtic Park you must focus 100% on the game ahead of you.

"Their defensive record is pretty impressive as well.

"It is amazing to think they have gone 12 games without conceding but, as a striker, you look at that record and you have to use it as motivation.

"You cannot obsess about what Celtic are going to do to you. We have to focus completely on executing our game plan to the best of our ability."

Boss Danny Lennon insists Thompson should not be worried about the arrival of new boy Josh Magennis.

The Aberdeen frontman joined Saints on a six-month loan deal on Thursday, but Lennon thinks the duo can work well as a pair.

And the Buddies boss is confident the 23-year-old Northern Ireland international will take the burden of scoring from the shoulders of his new 35-year-old partner.

Lennon said: "There is no doubt that Josh will help Stevie the longer we go into the season.

"We didn't bring Josh in as a replacement for Stevie, we brought him in to work alongside him.

"Stevie is getting older but Josh will be able to do a bit more of the running and help Stevie save himself for when those balls come into the box."