SAINTS wing Tommy Makinson was happy lift the League Leaders Shield on Friday night - but admits that all eyes are now on Old Trafford.

A mammoth 16 points clear at the Super League summit, Saints have been the best team all year - and that is why the Wembley defeat will have stung them ever harder.

But in his interview on Sky Sport after Friday's win, Makinson spelled out that key to winning the silverware is to play the big games like they do their weekly matches.

Makinson said: “It is good to win this (the League Leaders’ Shield) but it is still not known as the big dance and we have one more we want to go for and put the disappointment of last week behind us.

“We need to play in the big games like we have all year - completing our sets, put teams in bad spots and do what we are good at.

“In the big game last week (in the Challenge Cup final) we went away from our game plan and we did the same last year. Teams are too good (if you do that).

“So we can learn a lot going into the big games.”

When asked about departing coach Justin Holbrook's impact on the team, Makinson responded: “Justin has done a lot for this team - turned us around massively. Not just as a rugby team but as people as well - he brings out the best in you away from rugby and we will miss him a lot.

“Whoever the next bloke is he will have a good team.”