Motherwell ace Dan Casey: Working with Wimmer during break will be boost for St Mirren clash

The Steelmen are gearing up for a return to action after their big win over Rangers earlier this month

Motherwell defender Dan Casey reckons extra time on the training pitch with new gaffer Michael Wimmer will do them the world of good.

The Steelmen have not yet been able to build on their sensational 2-1 over Rangers at Ibrox on March 1, which earned the club back-to-back wins in Govan and fired them back into the top six in the Premiership.

With the Scottish Cup quarter-finals taking place last weekend - and Motherwell knocked out in round four of the competition in January - the club has had plenty of time to get to work with Wimmer, after a hectic first week for the German saw him take charge of three games in a week, losing 1-0 on his debut at Dundee United but bouncing back with 2-1 wins over Dundee and Gers.

A home clash with St Mirren now awaits `Well on Saturday with the team four points off fifth spot, but only six shy of third.

And Casey reckons the enforced break could be a blessing. He said: “We haven’t really had many training sessions with the new manager so I think if we get a few more before the next game, that will help.

“The league is so tight. There’s hardly any points separating a lot of teams. If you get a few results together it can make a big difference.

“We were devastated not to be involved in the cup because when we are playing like this, you want to be involved and see where you could go.

“But that hasn’t happened for us so we just need to concentrate on a tough week of training for the next few league games.

“I think you always get a new manager buzz. Everyone gets a clean slate and I think that was needed, if I am being honest. Everyone needs to show the manager what they can do and he has been great about that.”

Ninth-place St Mirren are only three points off the Steelmen in a very tight pack in the middle of the Premiership and Casey knows Saints, managed by ex-Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson, pose a serious threat to their feel-good factor.

He added: “We know St Mirren will be really tough. It always is against them, but it is two teams in good form so we are looking forward to it.

“They are quite close to us in the table so it is a big game for both teams, but hopefully we can finish the season strongly and see where it takes us.”