St Mirren: Stephen Mallan backs Gary Teale at St Mirren

Midfielder Stephen Mallan has backed Gary Teale to continue as manager despite St Mirren facing relegation from the Scottish Premiership.

The Buddies' fate will be sealed if Motherwell beat Kilmarnock on Friday.

"He has been brilliant for me," said 19-year-old Mallan, who won the PFA Scotland goal of the season award for his solo effort against Dundee.

"He helped me when I was coming through the Under-20 team and, when he got the job, he pushed me into the first team."

Mallan thinks his views on Teale, who was given the job until the end of the season after the sacking of Tommy Craig, are shared by his team-mates.

"He has helped me and the team," said the teenager.

"Everyone has a good relationship with Gary because he used to be a player, and he has good ideas.

"I hope he gets the job because I still want to work with him.

"I can't thank him enough because he gave me the opportunity and helped me along with my career so much."

Mallan was delighted to collect the goal of the season award.

"It's obviously not been the best season for St Mirren, but that goal pushed me up a bit and gave me a wee bit of a lift as well," he said.

"I hope I can score a few more goals before the end of the season never mind a goal like that."