Competition for places in the St Johnstone frontline has helped inspire Steven MacLean’s stunning recent form, according to his manager.
The former Sheffield Wednesday man has scored six goals in his last four games – three of them against Hamilton Accies on Saturday.
And Perth boss Tommy Wright believes the fact that John Sutton and Chris Kane are fighting it out with MacLean and Graham Cummins for a starting place is bringing the best out of him.
The Northern Irishman said: “The important thing is that he knows there’s fierce competition now. That is a first in my time here.
“I know the other two won’t be happy at the minute but when they get in it is up to them to stake a claim.
“It’s unfortunate on Sutty and Kano but we have four strikers and the most competition for places up front since I took the job. That has helped Macca in particular.
“At times it will be difficult because they can’t all play but competition adds real edge.
“Stevie May always started after he broke into the team but remember Macca was getting into good positions but, like all strikers, Stevie is selfish and he would whack the ball into the top corner rather than pick out a pass.”
MacLean’s goals have been poacher’s finishes, and Wright pointed out that there has been a change in the areas of the pitch he has been asked to occupy.
“Macca does like playing deep but he realises others will step in if he doesn’t contribute with goals,” he pointed out.
“Sometimes he does too much of his work outside the box. That can hinder him getting into positions in the box to find the net.
“I want to see any type of goals but he is getting them inside the box, from six or seven yards. I want to see him in there because he has great movement to worry defenders.”
Wright added: “Macca is top of the goalscoring charts with Griffiths right now.
“That might surprise some people but remember he hasn’t had a full campaign since I came in. There has always been something that has disrupted his season. But we know he will score goals if we can keep him fit.”
Murray Davidson’s incredible run of bad luck continued at the weekend, after he had to be substituted with a badly cut mouth. But there has been no lasting damage.
“Murray needed stitches in a cut inside his mouth,” Wright reported. “It took longer than we thought to patch him up and we just couldn’t wait any longer so Liam (Craig) came on.
“They were gaining a foothold in the game because we were down to 10 men. But he is fine. He trained today and he will be okay for the weekend.
“He had a great clearing header and it was just an unfortunate accident. On the plus side there was no concussion this time and no worries about training.”
Reflecting on the comfortable win over Accies, Wright said: “A lot has been made of their penalty claim but very little about the fact we should have had a foul in that phase of play.
“I am pleased with how we went about it against Hamilton. We changed our shape when we brought Liam on and Graham did another good job on the left and still looks a threat.
“Graham has been getting goals and has provided assists as well. He got up an unbelievable height for our third against Accies. Ideally he wants to play through the middle but he has made an impact coming in from the left.”
Steven Anderson will feature for the under-20s against Aberdeen, and centre-back is starting to look like another area of strength after Joe Shaughnessy put in a fine performance alongside Dave Mackay.
“He did very well in central defence,” Wright said. “It wasn’t sprung on him. We talked it over and he has played there earlier in his career. Cuptie is going to play centre-back and Darnell (Fisher) coming in gave me an opportunity to move Joe across. He is quick and aggressive.”