The emergence of Stevie May as an SPL striker over the last couple of weeks has been as big a boost to St Johnstone as any signing they could have made in the recent transfer window, defender Dave Mackay has insisted.
Mackay has watched the 18-year-old develop his skills on the training ground over the last couple of years and isn’t surprised that he’s been an instant hit after being given his first-team chance in the last two home games.
May impressed against Motherwell a week ago and then took his performance to another level with two goals to see off Hamilton on Tuesday night.
For a team which has been rock solid at the back over the last few months but has struggled to find the net on a regular basis, May’s contribution has been a timely one.
Mackay said, “Stevie is doing brilliantly for us. He’s started two games now and has given us that wee spark we have been missing up front.
“We were all delighted to see him get off the mark with his two goals. We all knew he was capable of it.”
He added, “It is sometimes hard for young boys to come into the first team, but he’s really made an impact.
“Since I came here he’s looked really good in training and is one we all knew would make the breakthrough.”
Mackay said, “He has been progressing all the time.
“The manager has been on at him to get his shots away because he’s got a great strike on him.
“Stevie has made the breakthrough but there are a few more behind him as well who will be pushing before long.”Comparison with GriffithsMackay was at Livingston when Leigh Griffiths burst on to the scene at a similar age, but he pointed out the two are different types of striker.
He said, “Leigh is more off-the-cuff than Stevie. He got thrown into the Livi team because of necessity when the club couldn’t sign anyone.
“He hadn’t really been coached, he was raw and at times he didn’t know what he was doing.
“But Stevie has been with St Johnstone for years all through the ranks so has been coached well.”
Next up for Saints is a Scottish Cup fifth-round clash with Partick Thistle at McDiarmid on Saturday.
Mackay said, “It won’t be easy but we’ll be going into it to win it.”
Meanwhile, Saints’ loan signing from Hearts, Arvydas Novikovas, was withdrawn at half-time in midweek because he sustained a slight muscle strain.
Forty-five minutes isn’t enough to form a judgment on his ability, but manager Derek McInnes said, “There were three or four moments against Hamilton you saw what he’s all about.
“We wanted more pace and balance on the left side of the pitch and that’s what he adds.”
He added, “He only arrived at the ground before the game so had not met the boys or trained.
“He looks the type who can excite and create so I’m looking forward to working with him.”