St Johnstone forward Rowan Vine feels fairly content to see his side flying under the SPL radar because it gives Saints the best chance of snatching third spot.
While much of the media focus has been on success stories at Inverness and Ross County so far this season, fourth-placed Saints are only a point off the European place and are making steady progress post-split so far.
Heading into the derby with Dundee United, Vine is hoping that the Perth club can continue their recent run of good form which he reckons has been timed to perfection.
“Maybe it’s unfashionable that Inverness and Ross County are both up there and they’ve probably both over-achieved as well,” he said.
“When Inverness were second they were playing some good stuff and wiping teams off the park, and this was being noticed.
“They are more of a story and it will be more of a celebrated achievement for the league if a team like Ross County were to go and do it.”
“Competition is what you strive for in every league. But our job is not to get any other team into Europe, it’s to get us into Europe,” Vine said.
“We’ve gone about our business and consistency will take you all places in this league.”
He continued: “I remember being at Milton Keynes on loan and the manager Karl Robinson was desperate to get noticed because they were a really good footballing team, but there were some massive teams in the play-offs and the automatics that year so you weren’t going to.
“I said to him you’d rather be under the radar because if people aren’t talking about you there’s no added pressure. The only pressure you should bow to is the pressure you put on yourself.
“Through success you are going to get pressure from the media and your own fans but I always think if you go under the radar you’ve got a much better chance.
“The manager here has been very positive towards us since we got in the top six and just told us to go and enjoy it and play the way we have been when we’ve had success and we’ll be there or thereabouts.”
Saints have failed to beat United so far this season, but Vine reckons there is no time like the present to record a win at Tannadice.
“We’ve got to look for progression, every club has to, and to finish higher than we did last year is probably a major factor,” he said.
“Europe is the dangling carrot and obviously we got in last year by hook or by crook.”
The former Portsmouth and QPR striker revealed he doesn’t yet know where his future lies, but he seems focused on firing Saints into the Europa League at the moment.
“I don’t know what’s happening with regards to me but it would be a massive achievement for the squad to get into Europe, even if you are not here next season,” he continued. “I’ve obviously enjoyed my time here, I’ve made no secret about that.
“I came up, it was new and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I just get the feeling it’s not going to be up to me.
“I’m just so happy that I’ve played 30 games and the only games I’ve not been available for are the ones when I’ve been suspended, which probably comes down to my own fault really.
“We’ve done well together and as individuals, so you would normally think there would be some sort of communication. But I’m not one to go knocking on people’s doors and chasing around, and I haven’t been in this situation before.
“It looks like the club is going to let it run right to the wire and then we’ll see exactly where we’re at. I’ve heard whispers there’s a few people talking to the club about re-signing, but I haven’t really spoken to anybody yet.”