David Wotherspoon hopes that he and Richard Foster are the first of many St Johnstone players to sign new contracts.
With Saints in the middle of what looks like becoming another excellent season, Wotherspoon believes there is no great secret to the Perth club’s success.
“Hopefully the club will get a few of the other lads signed up as well,” said the former Hibs man, who has agreed a two-year extension, as has Foster.
“Continuity has been a big part of our success here.
“They have kept a core of the squad over the past few years. We lost guys like Dave Mackay and Frazer Wright but the likes of Steven Anderson, Chris Millar and Steven MacLean are still here.
“It shows it’s a great club to play for and the boys are settled here. It is a good place to be playing your football.
“There’s not a big turnover of players here like you see at some other clubs. And when one or two new lads come in they are made to feel welcome. The transition is easy.”
Wotherspoon added: “The two year deal will keep me here until I am 29. This is my fourth season with Saints and I feel these have been the best years of my career.
“I have been consistently getting games, I’ve steered clear of injury and that manager has been great with me.
“He puts a lot of trust in me, playing me in different positions. He is very honest, telling me how it is.
“I could have waited to see what was out there but I was happy with the offer from the club. I am settled, I have another wee kid on the way and the manager wants me here.
“I haven’t scored any goals this season so far but there are still games to put that right.”
Saints now have an eight-point cushion in fifth and they can take a huge step toward ensuring top six football if they beat one of their challengers for that position, Partick Thistle, tomorrow night.
“We are aiming for top six and want to get over that line as soon as possible,” Wotherspoon said.
“We didn’t play to our best but still won against Hamilton and now the target is to take three points from the game with Partick Thistle.
“We are on level points with Hearts now so the aim is to keep things going along. Hopefully we can get above them.
“There’s an eight point gap between us and Thistle and a win would take us even further clear of the chasing pack. So that has to be the target.”
