St Johnstone didn’t let the prospect of closing a nine-point gap to Premiership safety overwhelm them at the turn of the year.
And now that they’ve got the opportunity to wipe the deficit out completely when bottom of the league clashes with second bottom at Dens Park on Saturday, their tunnel vision will be the same.
Focusing on small goals has served the Perth side well over the last couple of months, according to Makenzie Kirk, and Simo Valakari’s men won’t allow themselves to be distracted by big picture stuff against Dundee.
“We have been working towards getting back to the teams above us,” said Kirk, who scored the winning goal against Ross County in midweek to move Saints within three points of the Dark Blues.
“All along we’ve just talked about taking it a game at a time. That’s what we did before the County match too.
“Within the dressing-room we have belief and the manager has belief in us too.
“It’s going to be hard but we’re willing to put the graft in.
“It’s a good one for the fans. It’s a derby. But we’re just focused on doing the right things and approaching the game the right way.
“We are going into the game with momentum – we have had some good results in the last few weeks.
“But it’s all about staying focused.
“After the last time we played against them (when Saints were beaten 3-1 at McDiarmid Park) we knew as a team, all we could do was dust ourselves down and keep believing.
“That’s all you can do if you’re going to get out of the position we have put ourselves in.”
Haaland words of wisdom
Kirk’s midweek winner ended a five-game run without scoring.
The former Hearts forward took on board words of wisdom from the most prolific number nine in the business, Erling Haaland, as the Northern Ireland under-21 international plotted a way to get back on the goal trail.
“The manager and I both saw an interview at different times, so we spoke about it,” said Kirk.
“I took a bit from it because if the best striker in the world can do that and if it works for him then it will work for anyone.
“You just can’t get frustrated. You just have to continue doing what you’re good at.
“I have good experience behind me now.
“I have my dad (coach, Andy Kirk) who is really good with me and the manager too.
“He’s been patient with me.
“As a striker you have to get into the right positions and as long as you do that, you’ll get chances to score.
“If you get on the end of things, stay focused and don’t get frustrated the ball will go into the net.
“Of course, it’s always good to score goals when you’re a striker and it boosts your confidence.
“When it came around for me, it was just one of those you have to make sure you hit the target and get a bit of pace on the ball.
“Thankfully it hit the net.
“There was a bit of relief for the team when it did go in because we’d been building up to it so when it finally came, we were able to calm down.
“We were patient and we kept doing the things we were supposed to.”
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