St Mirren defender Conor McCarthy insists new contract talks must wait ahead of huge St Johnstone clash and relishes tough test

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Conor McCarthy insists decisions about his future will not affect him when he takes to the McDiarmid Park pitch this afternoon.That’s because the St Mirren centre back believes there’s far too much at stake today to have his focus anywhere else but Perth.The Buddies know a rare win at their rival Saints’ ground would put serious daylight between themselves and Callum Davidson’s men, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot.A victory would put them eight points ahead of St Johnstone with just three games left of the season, with a draw maintaining the current five point gap.McCarthy is out of contract this summer, having been linked with moves away from Paisley in the last two transfer windows.The 24-year-old Irishman in adamant his thoughts are all on ensuring St Mirren are able to keep looking up the way as they aim to replicate last season’s seventh place finish, instead of down the Premiership table come Saturday night.McCarthy told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “Our own personal future doesn’t come into it at all.“The manager has been really good with all of us behind the scenes.“He’s told us that contract situations go out the window at the moment.“We just need to focus on the games we have left.“Everyone is playing for their livelihood and we’re looking forward to it.“We’re just focusing on three points.

The message all week has been to get that breathing space we need.“We can sort all that off the field stuff out after the season’s finished.“I can’t speak for every player, but for me personally I’ll give 110 per cent no matter what.”While some footballers might buckle under the weight of expectation heading into season-defining clashes, McCarthy revealed he relishes the challenge.He believes it’s a privilege