The Ayrshire side put three past 10-man Aberdeen without reply at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon, with Brad Lyons, Bruce Anderson and Tyreece John-Jules all on the scoresheet.

The result was enough to open up a six-point gap to bottom club Livingston, with St Mirren just three ahead in 10th following their draw with Dundee.

McCann insists he will not get carried away but expects his side to take great confidence after putting in a near-perfect display against the Dons.

“That was so pleasing to watch today,” he said. “I’m so proud of the boys, so happy for the fans, the board, the players.

“They’ve waited such a long time to enjoy that type of feeling in the dressing room, and I just feel like it was coming with the last couple of performances.

“I’m just hoping that this is a platform for them. I’m hoping that the fans that were here today and watched our game, really get behind the team because, as a professional, that’s tough sometimes when you’re going through that type of run.

“I think the players will skip in here on Monday because, as I said, they worked so hard.”

McCann this week completed three new signings in Findlay Curtis, Joe Hugill and Nicky Clescenco, but opted to start all three on the bench.

However, he believes it will not be long before they are up and running.

He said: “I’m so happy because we have been after a couple of those for a while, but you’re never guaranteed you’re going to get them.

“I thank Man United for allowing Joe to come to us. I thank Rangers for allowing Findlay [to come on loan].

“And I also thank FC Zimbru for letting us get Nicky. He’s going to maybe take a wee bit longer because he needs to get up to speed.

“But it’s three forward players with speed, a forward intent, and that’s great for the group.”

Interim Aberdeen manager Peter Leven was at a loss to explain what went so badly wrong for his side, who played much of the second half with 10 men following the dismissal of captain Graeme Shinnie.

“I just thought they wanted it more than us,” said Leven. “That’s really hard for me sitting here – it’s a tough one to swallow.

“First and second balls, they were all over us, winning challenges and we just couldn’t deal with it.

“We said during the week, ‘we can’t go there and play pretty football, we have to win the battle first’.

“You’ve got to match their runs, match their intensity, then bring your football. But we seemed to get it the other way round.”

Leven also confirmed defender Mats Knoester was “awake and in hospital” after being knocked out in the first half having suffered a heavy landing on the turf.