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PAUL McMullan is praying for a reversal of fortune as Dunfermline seek to avoid plunging to the bottom of the Championship.
Should the Pars lose to St Mirren the visitors will climb off the foot of the table and send Dunfermline, who have lost their last five league games in a row, into the relegation spot.
The Fifers’ early-season fortunes were summed up when they missed a hat-trick of spot-kicks in the 3-1 defeat to Dundee United a fortnight ago.
Read thoughts of #Dunfermline's on-loan #Celtic winger Paul McMullan on crunch #StMirren clash. #DAFC #COYP pic.twitter.com/lPQEnfn9At
— Capital City Press (@CCP_sport) September 23, 2016
McMullan was one of the guilty parties on that occasion but has been in impressive form and the 20-year-old is convinced they can spark a revival.
The on-loan Celtic winger said: “We’ve not had a lot of luck in the last few weeks, to be honest.
“Against Dundee United, for example, we played some really good stuff but missed the penalties and a few good chances. We were just unlucky.
“But, at some point, the luck will turn for us and hopefully when it does we can take our chances and go shooting up the table.
“We have games against teams that, like us, have not had a good start to the season.
“We need three points against St Mirren so we can start looking back up the table.”
McMullan had a spell on loan at St Mirren last season but left in January, shortly after Alex Rae took over in December.
The 20-year-old was surprised to see Rae lose his job last weekend but reckons the axed Buddies boss was at the mercy of the club’s high expectations.
EXPERIENCE
He added: “I was there for a few games when Alex Rae was in charge but I think he wanted someone with more experience than me.
“He wasn’t able to guarantee me the game time I felt I needed and he brought his own players in.
“But in the few games I had under him, I did enjoy myself and I thought he was a good coach, so it was disappointing to see him go.
“But St Mirren are probably looking to get promoted this year. The expectation levels are there, especially with the squad they have assembled.”
McMullan was restricted to substitute’s appearances earlier in the campaign but has started the last three matches as manager Allan Johnston has sought an answer to his side’s disappointing run.
With the likes of fans’ favourite Joe Cardle and summer recruit Kallum Higginbotham currently out of the starting line-up, however, the youngster is aware he must keep his standards up.
He said: “It was a frustrating start to the season for me so being in the team for the last few games, I am really starting to enjoy it, showing what I can do.
“Hopefully I have taken my chance and done quite well.
“We have a good squad here and if you are not 100 per cent then somebody is going to be chapping at the door looking to take your place.”
