THE manner of St Johnstone’s win over Kilmarnock at the weekend shows that challenging for a top six position is not out of the question for Callum Davidson’s side.
That’s how Andy Considine views it, as the experienced defender celebrated three huge points for the Perth outfit on Saturday.
An early own goal by Ash Taylor settled a tight and untidy affair at McDiarmid Park. But while it was far from a pretty performance, Saints held on to make it back-to-back wins.
Pleased with the result, Considine said: “We knew coming into this game how tough it would be and how important the result would be.
“We didn’t keep the ball well enough at times but when we did get to grips with the ball we looked threatening. They’re a big team who put a lot of balls into the box.
“But Remi didn’t have much to do. We defended really well as a team and thoroughly deserved the result.
“The confidence throughout the squad is really high.
“I think the manager has recruited well and put together a strong squad and a great dressing room.
“There were a huge amount of changes in the summer – in and out. It was always going to take time.
“You can now see Graham Carey and David Wotherspoon back and the effect that’s having. Jamie Murphy should hopefully be OK for next week.
“We really do have a very talented squad.
“We’ll keep taking it a game at a time.
“Rangers next weekend is a huge challenge but it would be great to try and get maximum points before the World Cup break.
“Everybody is targeting a strong finish to this part of the season.
“Results like that are the ones you look back on at the end of the season and say, ‘it wasn’t pretty but that was a huge three points’.”
On a personal note, Considine is just enjoying being back playing the game he loves following a tough season out through injury last year.
Released by boyhood club Aberdeen in the summer, Davidson gave the Scotland cap the chance to continue plying his trade at the highest level in Scotland.
Considine certainly appreciates being back on the pitch. He said: “There are five or six of us in our 30s and a lot of people might think we’re an ageing squad.
“But boys were running up and down the park there in the 96th minute. That was a really good shift.
“For me it was about playing football. That’s all I’ve ever wanted since I started at 16 or 17.
“Thankfully my knee has been great and long may that continue.
“I’d like to think I’m helping the team and I’m enjoying playing alongside Gordy and big Mitch. We’ve got a good understanding, the three of us.”
Meanwhile, Chris Stokes insists Killie’s away form will come. The defender admits it’s a poor run on the road for the Rugby Park outfit, but it’s not for the want of trying.
VAR played a massive part in Saturday’s match, with both calls going against the visitors in the overturning of James Brown’s red card and a disallowed Liam Donnelly goal.
That added to the frustration of another defeat. Stoke said: “We’re definitely improving away from home. These 1-0 results seem to be reoccurring.
“The early goal was a setback. You come to a place like this and you go one goal down, it’s going to be tough. They sat in and they hit us on the counter-attack.
“We stuck in there, we had opportunities to get back into the game but it didn’t fall for us today.
“It’s disappointing when you look back on it. If VAR’s not here then it’s a red card, that’s the decision on the pitch. He changes his mind and that goes against us.
“Then you’ve got the goal. I’ve only seen it once but it looks soft.
“You’re going to have to take the decisions with VAR at the minute. Hopefully a few decisions go our way in the future.”
