St Johnstone forward Nigel Hasselbaink is confident his goal tally will rise in the coming weeks after finding the net for the first time in four months at the weekend.
The Dutchman’s fine individual run and strike swung Saturday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against Raith in Saints’ favour and proved to be a pivotal moment as the Perth club ran out 3-1 winners.
But important as it was for Tommy Wright’s team, Hasselbaink personally would have been relieved to see a goal drought stretching back to November 9 finally come to an end.
“The goal came from switching sides and that is what the gaffer had told us to do,” the 23-year-old said.
“He wanted me and Lee Croft to get more of the ball to make things happen. It opened up for me and I could feel their defender behind me but I managed a good finish.
“The wind was against us in the first half and they had a couple of chances. But we played well in the second half. It was obviously an important goal for us to get ahead and I think we needed it.
“In the last couple of games I have missed chances, but it was in my head that the goals were going to come for me. I was getting into the right positions, I was getting closer.
“I think it was 12 or 13 games since I last scored so it was about time. If you play up front or on the wings you like to score goals.
“The gaffer believes in me and I have been working hard every day to try and get in the team because there are a lot of players looking to play.”
Hasselbaink, who has now scored six goals in all competitions this season, would love to continue in the same vein of form all the way into their Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Aberdeen.
And the Dutchman thinks Saints are probably due a victory over the Dons.“
The semi-final will be a massive game,” he said.
“It would be my first ever Scottish Cup final if we can get there. We have played Aberdeen four times and haven’t scored yet, so that has to change. The boys will be up for it.
“We were speaking about it and texting each other after the draw. It’s going to be a very big game for us and for the football club.
“But first we have league games and we want to open up the gap between us and Hibs with a derby win against Dundee United.”