St Johnstone’s Liam Craig has promised to improve on last season’s goal tally which saw him become Saints’ joint top scorer alongside Kenny Deuchar.
That pledge was reinforced after Craig helped exorcise the demons of two missed penalties at the end of last season by netting from the spot in friendlies against Forfar earlier this month and on Tuesday night in Lisburn.
Craig was Saints’ regular penalty taker last season but had two saved against Dundee United and Hamilton as the campaign came to a conclusion.
However, he never lost belief in his own ability and, crucially, he continued to have the backing of his manager Derek McInnes.
“Tuesday night was another good work-out for us,” said Craig during a break from preparing for this evening’s game against Dungannon Swifts. “A lot of players got another 90 minutes under their belts and more will do so against Dungannon.
“I think it has been a really good week so far. Tuesday against Distillery was competitive which is exactly what we are needing being only two weeks away from the start of the league campaign.
“It was great to score another penalty as I am still disappointed that I missed the one against Dundee United and then when we played Hamilton my kick was saved but I scored from the rebound.
“So it was pleasing to get the one against Forfar, especially as I had worked with their goalkeeper, big Euan McLean, at St Johnstone last year.
“I was confident again against Distillery and if I am on the park, then penalties are something I will look forward to. I work on taking them a lot in training so that is why I was so disappointed to miss against United, as if we had won that game we would probably have finished in the top six.
“After that match, the manager insisted he still wanted me to take spot-kicks which obviously helps your confidence. So, I will be looking to be outright top goalscorer this season as last time Kenny Deuchar hit most of his in the cups against lower-league opposition.”
There is a formidable presence standing in the way of Craig attaining his dream in the shape of new signing, 6ft 2in striker Sam Parkin. Craig has been rooming with Parkin in Ulster but he revealed he has known the centre-forward since he was a youngster.
“I was a YTS at Ipswich when Sam was in the first team,” added Craig. “I know he is a player who can certainly do a job for us and I am looking forward to playing alongside him this season. However, he is a terrible room-mate!”
Craig’s manager admitted that, while he was pleased with the result against Distillery, he will be demanding a step up in performance from his side tonight.
“We will be looking to improve against Dungannon,” said McInnes. “Pre-season games have to serve their purpose for the fitness element, breeding confidence and helping players get to know each other but the danger you have with them is that they are false and they do not have that real competitive edge.
“So we have to try to generate that ourselves. We are only two and a half weeks away from our first league match with Hearts and we need to have that edge to our game.
“There are a few players coming back who will get 90 minutes against Dungannon. Jody Morris has looked fine so far in training and the plan is to have him play for 45 minutes. Murray Davidson seems to have recovered from his back knock and we are hopeful he will also take part.”
McInnes also intends to have another look at his unnamed goalkeeper trialist as the player had little opportunity to impress on Tuesday in Lisburn against a Distillery side that rarely threatened in attack.