St Mirren manager Danny Lennon has said that Darren McGregor is mentally stronger after making his comeback from serious injury.

The defender, who had suffered a cruciate ligament injury, played his first football in eight months on Saturday when he was a second half substitute in the 4-2 win against Kilmarnock.

The return to first team action came earlier than expected, with the initial diagnosis having suggested that McGregor would be out for the season.

Lennon paid tribute to the efforts made to get the defender back in his plans.

“It was just great that Darren managed to get a run out against Killie and we hope that he’ll play in a bounce game this week,” the Saints manager said.

“It’s fantastic to see him again. Darren has come back from his injury a very strong character, both mentally as well as physically.

“If there was any positive to come from the negative of his injury then that would be it. He’s now mentally stronger than before.”

Lennon also praised St Mirren’s club physio for helping McGregor work his way back from serious injury.

“A lot of credit must go to our physio Gerry Docherty,” he said. “His detail and man-management of Darren’s injury and his rehab has been top drawer.

“You only get out what you put in and Darren has put in hours and hours of hard work, months and months of it and he’ll see the benefit of that.”