St Johnstone skipper Liam Gordon feels he took his chance on Saturday after returning to starting honours.
The Perth captain has required the patience of a Saint in recent weeks and was needing to settle for a spot on the bench.
But he was back in from the first whistle against Ross County at the weekend and produced a solid display to aid the clean sheet mission.
Gordon had been chapping manager Callum Davidson’s door desperate to get his opportunity again and hopes he has done enough to have merited a start when football resumes after the international break.
“I think the manager would be disappointed if I wasn’t chapping on his door,” Gordon smiled.
“I was delighted to be back in and it was nice to come back and keep a clean sheet. That is my job at the end of the day, to defend and keep clean sheets.
“We have a good strong squad and the boys have been doing well. I wasn’t even sure if I would get back in against Ross County. But I was thankful to be. I just needed to bide my time.
"You want to be playing football. Not just me, I bet every sub is disappointed. When you do get back in, you need to take your chance. I feel I did that on Saturday.”
Gordon, pleased with the shutout, felt there could have been no complaints had Saints picked up all three points.
“First half, especially, we played some good stuff,” he said.
“Ross County did come into the game a bit more but I think we created the better chances.
“I thought we got into a lot of good areas but it was just the final finish or cross. It just wasn’t to be.
“That is two clean sheets back-to-back now and that is a really good habit to get into. Being able to do that will push you up the league.
“As much as we’re disappointed not to get the win, I feel we have still carried some momentum into the into the international break.
“The squad is in a good place and there are a lot of good characters and people in the dressing room.
“I feel we started to turn a corner because we have character, everyone is a winner and wants to play. There is good competition now and that is only going to make everyone better.”
Saints sit ninth in the early standings but remain in striking distance of the top half of the table.
Reflecting on the league start, Gordon said: “I feel we’ve made a solid start.
“Look at some of the games we’ve lost. A 30 yard free-kick to Aberdeen and in the last minute to Hibs.
“We’re playing some decent stuff and need to do what we’re best at. At McDiarmid Park, that is starting fast and also being able to churn out results.”
St Johnstone youngster Liam Parker, meanwhile, has joined East Fife on loan for the season.
The towering centre-half was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Annan Athletic.
He links up with a couple of familiar faces at Bayview in fellow Saints Alex Ferguson and Taylor Steven.
