Kirk keen to focus players' minds after turbulent week

After a difficult week for St Johnstone, caretaker manager Andy Kirk aims to make sure his players are "in the right frame of mind" for Saturday's Premiership game at Ross County.

Boss Craig Levein was sacked on Tuesday with the team sitting 10th in the table having won just one and lost four of their opening five league games.

On Thursday, club owner Adam Webb revealed he was receiving treatment for cancer of the head and neck - and that he intends to take a period of medical leave, aiming to return in December.

Kirk said: "Obviously, it's not a great time for him [Webb] and his family but everyone from here sends their best wishes and we hope that the treatment works well and we see him back here soon.

"There are a lot of things that have happened over the last couple of days. The news about Adam is another thing that is not nice to hear, but we have to keep functioning and moving forward, and I think Adam would absolutely want us to be doing that as best we can.

"We will work hard behind the scenes to keep the players focused and make sure we are in the right space to go to the game on Saturday."

Kirk worked with Levein at Brechin City before becoming his assistant at McDiarmid Park last November.

He added: "It is never nice to see a manager lose their job at any level. We have spoken to the players this morning, there is a sense of responsibility on everyone in the building here for that.

"In his time here Craig was really good with the players, they had a lot of respect for him.

"There is always a sadness on that side but the game comes round quickly on Saturday for us, so we need to be making sure the players are in the right frame of mind and we can put on a good performance."