Motherwell manager Jim Gannon hopes his side's second Clydesdale Bank Premier League point against the Old Firm can again give them a lift when they face St Mirren on Saturday.

Gannon is well aware that Motherwell, who secured a goalless draw at Celtic Park last weekend, followed up their point against Rangers last month with an impressive victory at Dundee United.

And he has also been boosted by the return to training of Shaun Hutchinson and Jim O'Brien ahead of the SPL clash against St Mirren, who they play in the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-finals three days later.

"We got a creditable draw against Rangers and went on to get a fantastic win in Dundee," Gannon said.

"So I know on the back of getting a draw against the Old Firm we can build on that, and St Mirren will be as tough a game as Dundee United away.

"It will be nice if the lads can build on this because I think the next two games are critical for us in enjoying the remainder of this year."

Victory at Tannadice aside, the two draws against the Old Firm are the clearest evidence of how well Gannon has organised his young players since taking over this summer.

"It shows we're respectable and competitive, shows we have a good work ethic and good shape, which makes us difficult to break down," Gannon said.

"The way we have played in both games we have shown we are able to keep the ball and give ourselves an opportunity to win games.

"We have been rock solid both games and it's nice for the players because it's a real confidence boost to get such respectable results."

Now he is looking for his team, who have not lost a goal on the road since the opening day of the season, to click going forward.

"Rome wasn't built in a day," the former Stockport manager said.

"We've come in initially just to bring players together and get them organised.

"We have worked really hard on the defensive shape and our set plays, and that's paid a lot of dividends.

"We are slowly developing how we play the ball out from the back and how we move the ball across the midfield line. I think everybody can see signs of that.

"The most difficult part is trying to get that penetration. We've got some players up front who have got a little bit about them and it's just a question of getting the best out of them now.

"That's something we will be working on over the next couple of months."