St Johnstone defender Steven Anderson has shrugged off suggestions there is more pressure on the Perth side as Scottish Cup holders ahead of Saturday’s tie against Queen of the South.
The clinching of Saints’ first Scottish Cup in their 130-year history will be a moment that will live long in the memory of players and supporters alike, but Anderson reckons his team-mates are not feeling any extra expectation this term as they prepare to continue their defence of the trophy this weekend.
For Saints’ centre half, it is just another tricky Scottish Cup tie at a difficult place to go and Anderson is solely focused on avoiding an upset.
“Obviously you want to try and progress in the cup and hopefully we can have another run in it, especially financially,” he explained.
“We weren’t expecting to win it last year and it will be the same again this year.
“I think what happened last season with the first semi-final against Aberdeen, we were definitely underdogs so getting through that tie was massive.
“It was massive mentally as well, especially for me because I have been in a few semi-finals and had a few hidings.
“But we went in as underdogs and we were probably under the radar a lot last season, which probably benefited us.
“Queen of the South are a very good side and you just need to look at the result on Saturday, beating Cowdenbeath away 5-0.
“That’s a hard, hard place to go to and get a result.
“We know a lot of the players have played in the top league as well the likes of big Vinnie (Mark Durnan) from here has been excellent.
“He’s been tipped to go places and obviously he’s still young as well.
“So they’ve got a good mix of experience and youth in their team.
“You know yourself that we’re not going to win the league.
“It’s as simple as that.
“Getting top six is a bonus and obviously a cup run is what you want as well to help financially for the club.
“But as a player you want to win silverware, and the cup gives you that chance.”
Saturday’s tie will be played on the synthetic surface at Palmerston, and most people would think it might give Queen of the South an extra edge.
However, with much of the talk about the state of Hampden after the League Cup semi-finals last weekend, for once Anderson reckons the plastic pitch might help his team.
“When I played in the First Division, it was a horrible place to go to,” he added.
“But it might benefit it us on astroturf because the pitch might not be that bobbly and it should be flat.
“It’s a leveller.
“I remember away to Brechin was a leveller because it was like a bog and it was a tight pitch, but playing on astroturf might benefit us.”
Anderson added that he feels slightly for the position Saints keeper Zander Clark has been put in this week, as he is currently on loan at Queen of the South yet will not be able to play against his parent club.
Having said that, he joked: “You would like to think he would give us some inside information, being an employee of St Johnstone Football Club!
“I’m sure the gaffer will try to tap into his knowledge and asking his opinion.
“He’s rated very highly here and he’s obviously done well at Queens.
“He did well when he was younger at Elgin, even though he had a few sendings off, and he’s a big boy.
“But he’s got all the attributes to be a top class keeper.
“Zander’s told us that Queens are a decent side and it will be a hard game, especially down there.
“Zander’s not really in here much during the week because he trains with Queen of the South during the week, so you don’t get to speak to him that often.
“But the gaffer and Callum Davidson will do their homework, so we’ll be prepared and hopefully we’ll get the win.”