St Johnstone may never get a better chance to finish third in the SPL, according to striker Fran Sandaza.
The former Dundee United man believes a combination of the strength of their own squad and the slip in standards from the New Firm and the capital clubs has presented a rare opportunity for the Perth men to claim a European place through the league.
Sandaza made the bold claim over a month ago when Saints were managerless, and a three-game unbeaten start by new boss Steve Lomas has solidified that belief.
The Spaniard explained: ”We are now clear in fourth and I want us to be third. I think we have the team to do that and we will do our best.
”We have three important games coming up, starting with Motherwell at home on Saturday. If we win that one we could go to just one point behind them.
”I always want to play for something. I don’t want to just play to be in the middle of the table. It would be great to achieve something with St Johnstone because everybody knows we are not one of the big clubs in Scotland.
”We want to keep dreaming about getting into the Europa League next season, and that is my objective. I have personal targets in my head for the number of goals I want to score, and I won’t tell anybody. But for the team I want to be third.”
He added: ‘The gaffer is convincing us to believe in ourselves. When we didn’t have a manager we were a bit confused about everything.
”When you don’t have a boss you give a bit less because you don’t have pressure on you. Pressure in football is very important.
”He has done very well from the beginning and is doing all the right things.
”We have beaten Motherwell and Hearts away, who are the nearest clubs to us, and I don’t think there will be a better chance to qualify for Europe than this year.”