Oran Kearney wants his St Mirren players to take out their Livingston “anger and hurt” on Aberdeen when the Dons visit on Saturday.

The Northern Irishman experienced his biggest disappointment so far as Buddies boss after his side let slip an interval lead to lose 3-1 at Livi last Saturday. Dundee’s draw against Rangers saw the Paisley club return to the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership on goal difference to the Taysiders.

Kearney, who took over at St Mirren in September, insists he is not looking for a reaction to the defeat as such but said: “It was tough to take.

“The opportunity of the job means a lot to me and moments like Saturday are very hard to swallow, when you prepare all week and particularly with the position we put ourselves, it was very hard to take, a whimper of a second-half.

“I hate asking for that (a reaction). There should be a reaction every time you pull on the shirt and I hate having to go into Saturday wanting a reaction from last Saturday.

“There should be a reaction every Saturday and every other bit of anger and hurt that the players are feeling I will sincerely hope will come out on Saturday.”

Kearney will be without forward Danny Mullen and midfielder Kyle Magennis who are out until the New Year with injuries sustained in the recent 2-2 draw at Hibernian.

Mullen, 23, needs a foot operation and McGennis, 20, had a hamstring tear that will rule him out “for months.”

Kearney said: “Obviously it is a big blow. Danny has had a good strong season and has shown plenty that he has to offer.

“It is disappointing for him and I think he is going to need a small operation as well.

“Kyle in particular, as it is the second time it has happened. It is hard enough to do six or eight weeks once a season, he will  probably  be looking at months again before he is back which is a disappointing one for him.

“He has such potential, we all see that. The last thing we want is a player like him being on the sidelines.”