St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas does not believe it’s win or bust against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
But he knows it’s a great opportunity to turn the heat on their opponents in the battle for the last Europa League place. And it’s a situation Lomas would have “bitten your hand off” before the SPL got underway.
Saints can close the gap to Caley Thistle to just one point with a win at McDiarmid Park, and Lomas said: “I don’t see this as a last chance but you want to win your home games. It’s an important fixture but if we play well we can beat anyone.
“Our next two games are tough away matches (Dundee United and Celtic) so it’s a chance to get three points and maybe put a bit of pressure on Inverness,” he added.
“They’re looking at it knowing a draw wouldn’t be a disaster. It’s all to play for.
“I’d like a little bit more from us than we got against Ross County. The effort was there, and I know it’s difficult on that pitch but we can play better.
“But I’d have bitten your hand off to be in this position if you’d offered me it at the start of the season after the amount of changes we had and two points from 15 which wasn’t the greatest.”
No St Johnstone players have made the SPFA’s the player of the year lists, but Lomas doesn’t see that as a slight.
He explained: “There’s been a lot of good performances from our players this season but it’s been more of a collective effort.”
“But the Player of the Year contenders have had stand-out seasons so you can’t complain,” added Lomas.
“Michael Higdon has been great, Niall McGinn has converted from a winger to a striker and Andrew Shinnie has earned a move to the Championship. And where would Hibs be without Leigh Griffiths?
“The boys who are in there have been exceptional but as a team we’ve been good.
“We’ve worked as a team and have the second best defensive record in the league. Our home form has improved which has been pleasing so there’s a lot of positives. I’d like to think everyone has contributed.”
Meanwhile, Lomas has taken a back seat in the Richie Brittain pre-contract saga, with the Staggies captain allegedly wanting to back out of his agreement to join Saints in the summer.
He pointed out: “It’s now a contractual thing and the chairman will deal with it. I’ve had my say and I don’t want to say any more. We’ve got a game against Inverness which we’re fully focused on.
“There’s no timescale on it but the two clubs will have to sort it out. My rebuilding plans don’t hinge on him coming or not coming but ideally you’d want it sorted out.”
Don’t expect Lomas and Derek Adams to become pals anytime soon though, after the Ross County boss said the Irishman should show more “intelligence” with his post-match comments earlier in the week.
Lomas observed: “It doesn’t surprise me. Derek was telling me how to do my job last week and now he’s telling me how to communicate. Well I feel very blessed to have a mentor like Derek looking after my interests.”