Sam Parkin was dropped to the bench for St Johnstone’s last match at Kilmarnock, but the Perth striker can make a persuasive case for a quick return to the starting line-up against St Mirren.
The targetman has scored in the two previous encounters with the Buddies this seasonboth 2-1 winsand is looking to make it a treble at McDiarmid Park.
Danny Lennon and his team will know all about Parkin’s track record against them, and the former Walsall man is hoping to take advantage of any psychological edge he may have over the opposition defence.
He said, “It might be in their heads, more than my own. It doesn’t matter who I am up against, I always go out looking to score.
“But they will know I have scored two headers against them this season already and they will remember it. They proved to be important goals as well for us.
“We always look in detail at opposition teams and our manager pinpoints threats. I’m sure St Mirren will be the same.
“But there are certain teams you seem to do well against. I remember down south always scoring against Brighton, particularly at their place. Hopefully I can keep my record going against St Mirren.”
The 29-year-old’s last strike was a close-range header in Paisley in December to end a six-game run without a Saints player finding the back of the net.
Liam Craig then scored a winner at the death.
Parkin recalled, “It was a real relief for everyone when I scored in the last game against St Mirren. The lads were just delighted someone had scored.
“And it was great when Liam came up with the winner. It really helped with the run we are on. Results have definitely picked up since then.
“I have a one goal in three record which isn’t disastrous for a striker but I think I’ve had chances to score.
“I’m normally good at keeping calm and sticking them away is the strongest part of my game. I’m still hoping to go on a run that I know I’m capable of. I have to keep believing.
“Fortunately, results have been going well for us and the lads have been able to relax a little bit.
“We have been very strong as a unit but obviously we do want to be scoring more goals, especially now that we have a few home games coming up.
“Our success recently has been based on a strong defence. They have been the backbone for us and it has been a good month or two.”High intensityPerth boss Derek McInnes has mixed and matched his strikers in the last few weeks and that trend is set to continue.
He explained, “I’ll pick a team that I think is best suited to the opposition. I’ve changed winning teams in the past and I would do it again.
“All my strikers have chipped in with goals and it will be about getting the right combination for this particular match.”
McInnes has been heartened by the number of late goals his team have been scoring, and he believes it is a reward for the hard work put in on the training ground.
He pointed out, “It says a lot about the players’ fitness. We train with a high intensity every week.
“If we can stay injury-free I’m hopeful that our fitness will stand us in good stead in the second half of the season, as it did last year.”