“Our fans are absolutely great. They get right behind the team and we’re looking for them to do the same tonight.

“On Saturday, their support was tremendous down at Dumfries. Some of them were even in fancy dress and they really enjoyed their day out.

“The fans really are very supportive of the club and, hopefully, they’ll cheer us on to victory tonight.”

Saints’ last match against Hamilton at McDiarmid resulted in a win for the visitors. That put them into the Bell’s Cup Final against St Mirren, although the Perth club won the league meeting between the two earlier this season at New Douglas Park.

“This is an opportunity for us to leapfrog Hamilton,” Owen continued. “It will be a difficult game for us, but I’m pleased with the way we’ve been playing. Some of our passing football has been really good.”

Saints do have injury concerns for the game, though.

Kevin Fotheringam and Peter MacDonald are still out long term, Scott Paterson is also on the sidelines, and they could be joined tonight by Goran Stanic, Kevin Rutkiewicz and John Henry.

But Owen will give these three every chance of proving their fitness for what is a vitally-important game.