St Johnstone won’t be lulled into a false sense of security by going into their last day fourth place battle in pole position, Perth boss Tommy Wright insisted.
Saints have a one point advantage over Dundee United as they prepare to face Aberdeen on Sunday and United gear up for a Dundee derby at Tannadice.
A win in the Granite City would of course ensure that the probable place in the Europa League will be claimed by the McDiarmid Park club, but a draw wouldn’t be enough if United win. And defeat would mean Jackie McNamara’s boys only need a point.
Saints fans with their glass half-empty are thinking about what might have been in Friday night’s draw with Celtic, but Wright is a glass half-full man.
“Maybe people thought we missed an opportunity by failing to win against Celtic after having so much of the play and creating chances,” he said. “But I just think that at this stage every point is vital and it could prove to be enough.
“I suppose it is advantage us in the sense we know that if we can match United’s result on Sunday fourth place is ours.
“But we certainly aren’t going to be over confident going up to Aberdeen because we know that if we draw and United win it changes everything.”
There can be no debate about which of Saints and United is finishing the season in better form.
And Wright believes the backroom team at McDiarmid have become experts at getting the best out of the squad over the full course and distance.
He explained: “We have finished strongly the last few seasons.
“We make sure we work them hard but also give them rest when the opportunity comes along.
“We manage them as a group as individually, especially the older lads. That’s the way it is from the first day they come back after the summer break. It’s about knowing your players, and managing them.
“At this time of the season we tailor what we do. But we are still working at the same intensity.”
Saints’ record against champions Celtic also fills Wright with pride.
He noted: “We are the only team to take four points off Celtic this season and we have shut them out in the last two games. That is tremendous.
“But on Friday night we had more possession then Celtic, which is unheard of for us. I think we won here 2-1 with just 35% possession.
“The manner of taking those points off Celtic has pleased me.
“It hasn’t been smash and grab or backs against the wall stuff.”
Chris Millar has been the receiving the bulk of the end-of-season supporters’ club awards, and Wright can understand why.
He said: “Wotherspoon has been excellent and Swanson has come in and given us a bit of quality, MacLean links up play well for us and O’Halloran has pace up top. We have full-backs who are comfortable on the ball, whether it is Easton or Scobbie, Mackay or Miller. We do encourage them to play.
“Go through the team and you could make a case for a few of them but Chris Millar has been the stand out player. He has had the season of his life.
“He is thriving and full of confidence. And someone like Simon Lappin coming in beside him has also helped. He has kicked on and that is remarkable at this stage of his career.
“I think the Aberdeen semi-final was huge for a few of the lads psychologically and especially for guys like Chrissie who has lost a few semi-finals here in the past. Winning the cup has seen him grow in stature.”
Lee Croft won’t be at Saints next season, and Wright commented: “Crofty hasn’t played much and to freshen up the squad one or two have to go out. It wasn’t an easy decision but we decided we weren’t going to offer him another year.”