St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright has praised his players for the ruthless streak they are showing in front of goal.
Skipper Dave Mackay’s free-kick winner in the 3-2 victory at Ross County on Saturday was the 35th time the Perth side have scored in the league already this season.
Incredibly, that is one more than they netted in the entire 2014-2015 campaign with the manager admitting that can be attributed to the confidence rippling through his side at the moment as well as a new-found killer instinct when chances come their way.
Wright said: “It is really pleasing.
“It is probably down to the fact that the players seem more confident and lads are chipping in from everywhere, not just the strikers.
“The likes of Liam Craig and Simon Lappin have contributed along with others.
“Our setpieces have also worked really well and overall, I feel we have real quality in the final third.
“We have also been ruthless I think we only had five or six chances against County on Saturday and took three of them.”
Another of those playing their part in front of goal is David Wotherspoon.
His double against the Staggies took his tally for the season so far to five and his manager is delighted the 25-year-old seems to have added the “final piece of the jigsaw” to his game.
Wright said: “I am delighted for David. I have always rated him highly but the only thing that has been missing from his game has been goals.
“Over the last two seasons, he has probably provided more assists than anyone but hitting the back of the net was just the final piece of the jigsaw for him.
“He has all the ability in the world and while I would never set targets for him, I believe he should be hitting double figures.
“He has five already this season and that’s probably down to increased confidence and belief in front of goal.”
Wright is now looking forward to Sunday’s game with Celtic and there is a chance Steven Anderson could return to the squad following his ankle injury but the match will come too soon for Graham Cummins and Simon Lappin.
The manager added: “We have no fresh injuries to report after Saturday.
“Ando will see the consultant about getting his stitches out and should be back in training on Wednesday.
“Graham and Simon are coming along well and it will be great to finally have them back in the squad.
“However, the game against Celtic will come too soon for them.”
Meanwhile, St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown has paid tribute to former player and Hall of Fame inductee Willie Coburn who passed away at the weekend.
Brown said: “Willie’s passing is a huge loss to the club. There are few players who have made such a contribution over so many years to such a successful side as Willie did to that inspirational Willie Ormond team.
“He remains fifth in the table of all-time appearance makers with 324 appearances and that is a remarkable achievement. The fans voted him into the inaugural St Johnstone FC Hall of Fame and that in itself is testimony to how highly he was regarded.
“Not many people will know that Willie was at the club on a daily basis in his role as a caretaker for our all-weather surface at the stadium right up until he had his operation. He remained a hugely popular character with the club staff and the many local people who play football here every week of the year. He will be greatly missed by everyone.”
l A new book, “Manifest Destiny the official history of St. Johnstone FC”, will be launched at McDiarmid Park tonight.
The signing event will feature the co-authors and former Saints players including Doug Copland, Jimmy Donaldson, John Lambie, Alex Rennie, Gordon Whitelaw, Fred Aitken, Jim Morton, Ian Gibson, Mark Treanor, Roddy Grant, Paul Kane, John O’Neil, Peter MacDonald and Steven Milne.
The book launch begins at 7pm in the Centenary Suite. It is a free event and all are welcome to attend.