St Johnstone winger Lee Croft reckons the whole squad at McDiarmid Park have given boss Tommy Wright a headache because competition for places is so fierce.
Such is the determination to hold on to a starting jersey at the Perth club of late, Croft knew fine well that his two-match ban following a tackle on Ross County’s Liam Boyce could not have come at a worse time.
And so it proved as the midfielder was forced to settle for a place on the bench when he returned for Saturday’s game at Rugby Park.
As fate would have it, Croft was called upon in the second half following an injury to James McFadden, and he hopes he has done enough to retain his slot when Inverness come calling this weekend.
“It was unlucky for Faddy but good for me to get nearly 45 minutes at Rugby Park,” he said.
“It came following my suspension and I wasn’t expecting to come straight back into the team after the lads won away at St Mirren.
“The suspension was disappointing.
“I felt like I had been in a good run of form corresponding with the team having a good run of results.
“I was gutted but you can only work and train hard to try and get your place back.
“We have to have cover throughout the team and the gaffer has good options.
“And we all think we should be playing every week.
“It is a good problem for the gaffer to have.”
Croft has been pleased with the way Saints have battled back after a disappointing start to the season, and he believes the fact the Perth club are now sitting in the top six is testament to that.
He continued: “We have had a fantastic run of results after coming out of a tough time.
“We have shown great character and that is six league games unbeaten.
“That is great in this league, and we want to keep it going against Inverness.
“The back four and the keeper have been brilliant, winning everything.
“That provides the platform for others to go and play.”
Team bonding was improved still further on the club’s Christmas night out in Dublin at the weekend and, while many players went to great lengths to create elaborate fancy dress costumes, Croft confessed that he and Murray Davidson’s efforts left a lot to be desired.
“Myself and Muzz went to Dublin as Subbuteo players,” he revealed.
“He was red and I was blue.
“Everyone else made their outfits but we just went out and bought them.
“We were lazy going as footballers.”