Gary Miller believes St Johnstone can count on Ross County in their bid for European football.
The former Dingwall man is sure his old team-mates will do all they can to try to prevent Inverness Caledonian Thistle clinching a Europa League place at Victoria Park on Sunday.
If they’re successful, that will, of course, play into the Perth side’s hands, providing they can take care of Motherwell at the same time.
Miller has been sidelined by injury and non-selection since January, but he’s hoping to get back in the team for the crucial last match of the season as boss Steve Lomas reconfigures his backline to accommodate the loss of Frazer Wright through suspension.
He said: “Hopefully I will be involved, get some game time and help the team make third and qualify for Europe again.
“Obviously things depend on whether we win and if Caley win in Dingwall. But it is a massive game for us. We just have to do our very best to win and see where it takes us.
“It is the last game of the season and players want to go out on a high. County players will be up for the Highland derby.
“Remember they will still fancy their chances of taking fourth spot from us so they have plenty to play for as well, even if Europe is out of their reach now.
“They won’t want their biggest rivals clinching a place in Europe on their patch. They would be reminded of that for a long time in that part of the world.
“County have had a great season coming out of the First Division, they can still finish fourth so why would they not go for it against Caley?
“I speak to a few of the lads up there anyway but I haven’t made any special calls this week.
“They will be annoyed by the fact they haven’t won any of the derbies so far this season. They will want to put that right. I’m sure they will be up for it.”
Miller is out of contract at the end of the season, but could think of nothing better than a second European campaign should he stay for another term.
He said: “I played in both the European games earlier in the season and that was a brilliant experience for me. It would be great to be involved again if we qualify and something happens with a new contract here.
“But I might not be here next season, it’s all up in the air right now. I’m contracted to the end of this month and as a professional you have to give your all and give your best and we’ll take it from there. But the uncertainty does play on your mind.
“Up until my injury earlier in the year I was happy with my form and I probably played 75% of the games. I thought I helped the team and got a few assists. I was happy so the injury didn’t come at a good time for me.
“When I got back fit early in March the team was on a great run going six undefeated. They had around eight games in a month while I was out.
“Then we had the break so that was frustrating. But I’ve got myself back fit and I’m feeling stronger.”
Wright and David McCracken are definitely out, but Mehdi Abeid returned to training yesterday and Chris Millar also has a chance of making it.