St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has never needed any convincing about the worth of Steven MacLean to his team.
The striker has filled the roles of goalscorer, creator and dressing room leader for several seasons – often in the same game.
And the Perth boss is sure that the extra competition for places that loan signing Joe Gormley provides won’t faze the former Aberdeen, Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday man.
“When we brought in John Sutton last year Macca saw it as a sign he would have to respond,” Wright said. “He had been taking stick the previous season for a lack of goals.
“Critics didn’t appreciate his general play.
“Now we have brought in Joe Gormley and Macca will respond to that challenge as well.”
Saturday’s long-range strike against Partick Thistle was an exception to the rule that the vast majority of his 41 Saints goals have been scored from in or around the six-yard box.
And Wright will continue to stress to MacLean that he needs to maintain the selfish streak of a prolific poacher.
“Macca had a good season with 15 goals last time round and he has started well again,” Wright said.
“That’s five already so he is well on course to match it or even better it.
“But everyone in the game knows it’s not just about his goals.
“There’s not many better in the country at link-up play. He does so much work for the team outside the box.
“But we encourage him to get into the penalty area. He scored a beauty from 25 yards against Partick and he has that capability.
“He read the situation well, knowing the centre-back had got on the wrong side. It shows the level of confidence he is playing with.
“But scoring from that distance is unusual for Macca. The majority of his goals come from inside the penalty area, even the six-yard box.”
MacLean is nearer the end than the beginning of his career but there is no sign of his on pitch or off pitch influence at McDiarmid Park waning.
“He has had his setbacks with injury in the four years he has been with us but Macca is the ultimate professional and we manage him in terms of time off and rest periods,” Wright added.
“His experience is vital to us and he is a good leader on the pitch. Macca doesn’t really spring to mind when we have to change the captaincy because he plays that role anyway.”
Meanwhile, Wright expects to have Keith Watson back available next week.
