Brian Easton is hoping he has done enough to nail down a place in St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright’s first-choice XI.
The big defender was signed for Saints in July after leaving Dundee but, until Saturday’s game at Parkhead against Celtic, had to be content with fleeting substitute appearances.
Now, the 25-year-old is hoping he did enough during the defeat in the East End of Glasgow to retain his place as the Perth side gear up for tonight’s League Cup tie at another of his former clubs, Hamilton.
He said: “I have had to be patient for my first start but I couldn’t complain too much because the boys were playing well. The gaffer chose to change it a bit against Celtic and hopefully I can hold on to my place for the cup game.
“Anyone who doesn’t get a game has a right to be disappointed because everyone is good enough to be starting.
“I knew when I arrived that I would have a fight on my hands for a starting shirt and I have no problem with that.
“If I stay in the team I know I can’t afford to get complacent in any way. That’s good for me and for the team.”
Easton knows he and the rest of the Saints players will have to replicate their second-half showing against the Hoops if they are to have a chance at Hamilton.
He said: “It’s always going to be a tough shift at Parkhead. We were disappointed with the way the first half went. Maybe we gave them too much respect.
“If you give Celtic that much space, they will pop it about all day because they have quality players. The gaffer had a strong word or two for us at half-time and we were more like ourselves in the second half. We all knew we had to step it up.”
He added: “Now we have to take that second-half performance into the next couple of games at Hamilton and against Partick. It is a big game for us and it will be good going back to Hamilton.”
While Easton is looking forward to meeting some old pals tonight, he has warned the rest of the Saints players that they will face a stern test against Alex Neil’s in-form Championship pace-setters.
Easton added: “I did a bit of training there over the summer just before I signed for Saints. They have always made me very welcome. I’ve always had a good relationship with the club and Alex was my team captain when I was there.
“He has done a terrific job as I was sure he would. He always had the mentality to go on and be a good manager. He knows his stuff about the game.
“It is probably the toughest draw we could have got as they are the form team in the Championship.
“They will be wanting to take a top division scalp. Back when I was at Hamilton we beat Kilmarnock and Dundee United in the cup.
“But we will go there knowing how big a game it is and what an opportunity is there for us.
“The cup is up for grabs. Look at some of the winners in recent years.
“It makes you think that could be us. But we have a tough game coming up so we won’t look too far ahead.”