Liam Gordon felt it was more difficult to get out of St Johnstone’s struggling side than into it last season.
The Saints skipper believes no one fearing for their place was a contributory factor to a relegation scrap.
Now Gordon reckons the constant battle to impress Callum Davidson is one of the driving forces behind a top six bid.
There’s a depth and quality to the Perth pool that didn’t exist in a tough 2021/22.
That state of squad affairs is something the McDiarmid Park skipper realised early in the campaign.
His place was on the bench for the duration of August after fully recovering from injury.
Gordon has since been a rock in the back line as Saints stormed into the top half of the Premiership.
But there’s no way the 26-year-old centre half will take his selection for granted.
Gordon said: “Last season we were in a situation where no matter how badly someone played, they would still be playing the next week.
“Now we have that competition – and it doesn’t matter who you are. The manager is going to show loyalty to people who’ve been doing well, so you can’t complain about it.
“I’m just happy to be back in but I know you have to be performing to stay there.
“The level of training has gone up this season. We’ve a group of 20 or so and they’re all good players.
“In the past you’d maybe be pulling them in from the youth team to make up numbers but it wasn’t good for the session.
“Now everyone training believes they should be involved on a Saturday and that raises the standard.
“When I first arrived at the club, if you didn’t pull your weight in training you’d be told about it.
“We’d guys who hated losing and wanted to be involved every week – so you lose a small game 1-0 and they’d quickly tell you where you need to improve.
“I think we’re back to that mentality. It’s so competitive and going up a notch has rubbed off positively on everyone else.”
Gordon admits the veteran influence of Andy Considine, 35, has been huge for him.
Ryan McGowan, 33, is another old head in a steady defence that has seen Alex Mitchell emerge as a loan star.
The Millwall man was thrown straight in for a debut within two days of arriving at the club and hasn’t looked back.
Gordon said: “Alex has really taken to the Scottish game, it’s amazing he’s only 21.
“I’m not sure I believe him, to be honest, because I’ve never seen a 21-year-old that size and with that level of maturity in the game.
“It wasn’t really a case of taking him under my wing because he’s a brilliant lad who got it straight away.
“It was very clear he wanted to do well for St Johnstone, even though he’s a loan.
“That’s a massive thing because it lets the rest of the boys know what he’s all about.
“The way he works is impressive, he’s always doing extra. It was quite humbling that, after training, he’d shout on me to come and do more.
“We’ve bounced off each other really well and he’s been great for the dressing room.”
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