St Mirren’s Jeroen Tesselaar has said that his side need to take every point they can if they are to ensure a top six place in the Scottish Premier League this season.

The Paisley club travel to Dundee United this weekend knowing that a win would put them in the top half of the table at the expense of the hosts. The defender said that the aim was to get there and stay there.

Tesselaar said the concept of the split was new to him but that he felt it kept competition alive.

"Every game is hard between now and the split and we need to pick up as many points as possible," he said.

"I didn't know there was a split until the beginning of the season, when you play in Holland and you are in the middle of the league, the teams are playing for nothing so the way the league works here makes it more exciting.”

The defender has been an ever-present for St Mirren this season and said that previous experience against Dundee United had taught him to expect a tough game. However, after a Scottish Cup win against Ross County on Tuesday, Tesselaar said the team were keen to go on a run.

"It makes it easier when you have a win, everyone just wants to get on with the next game," he added.

"There is always pressure on the guys playing as those on the sidelines are desperate to come in and play."