ST MIRREN have prised Stephen O'Donnell from the First Division - and he's determined not to return there any time soon.

The midfielder signed at Love Street yesterday after Gus MacPherson landed him and Eddie Malone in a double swoop from Clyde.

O'Donnell has been desperate to prove himself in the SPL for years and is aiming to make sure his stay doesn't last just a matter of months after finally winning that move to the top flight.

He said: "The SPL is where everyone wants to play - you want to face Celtic and Rangers as regularly as possible.

"I've been playing for Clyde in the First Division and I've enjoyed it. There are a lot of difficult games in that division, but any player will tell you they want to play at as high a level as possible.

"So, obviously, I want to make sure I help St Mirren stay in the Premier League. And I'm confident we'll stay clear of relegation."

MacPherson clearly hopes so, too, after finally landing the duo following an increased bid being tabled.

Simon Lappin, who is in talks with Norwich today about a possible move to Peter Grant's Championship side, could be the only player to leave Love Street during the window.

But MacPherson is pleased to have landed O'Donnell and Malone.

He said: "We've had a look at the two lads for quite a while and feel they could improve the squad here at St Mirren.

"It's a step up for them and what you are hoping for is that they embrace the challenge and show that they can play at this level.

"I certainly feel they can and that's why we've brought them here. We had to improve our offer to Clyde, but I'm glad we have managed to bring them on board.

"Eddie will improve competition at the back and Stephen's ability to get all over the park from midfield will also benefit us."

O'Donnell wanted to make sure he thanked Clyde and manager Joe Miller for helping him win a move to Saints.

He said: "I've got to thank Clyde for giving me an opportunity to play again and especially the manager Joe Miller.

"I left Dundee United to go to Boston and that didn't really work out for me. I then went to Clyde for the trial matches the club were holding and things took off for me.

"It was Clyde who took a chance on me, gave me an opportunity to get back playing again, and I've enjoyed my time at the club."

MacPherson also missed out on a couple of potential signing targets yesterday.

Croatian international Filip Tapalovic was supposed to arrive on trial but decided on signing for a German Second Division side.

And there was also a possibility that Charlie Miller could have been watched in a bounce match.

But the former Rangers and Dundee United man is still contracted to Norwegian side Bergen.