ST JOHNSTONE may not have a prolific striker in their ranks like Saturday’s opponents Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
But that should not stop them improving their goalscoring record, according to Perth midfielder Liam Craig.
The Highlanders can rely heavily on SPL top scorer Billy McKay but the former Falkirk man knows he and the rest of his team-mates will have to spread the load.
Craig, who is believed to be on Hibs’ radar with his contract running out in the summer, said: “When you’ve got someone like Billy McKay’s scoring 17 goals (14 in the league) already you are going to be up there. We have got to spread the goals throughout the team.
“The positive thing from our point of view is the chances we are creating. It wasn’t just the other day, take out the Aberdeen game last Saturday, we are creating a lot of chances in the games. It is up to us to start taking them.”
Craig had three near misses at Tannadice a first-half header, the rebound and then a second-half shot.
He added: “I thought I had scored with the rebound from the header but the defender did well to get back and clear it.
“In the second half I tried to keep the ball down on my weaker side, but the keeper made another decent save. I think it hit his backside. But that’s the goalie’s job, it does matter which part of his body he uses to keep them out.”
Saints are seven points behind second-placed Caley but Craig believes that is a gap that can be bridged.
He said: “The league is so tight this year if you go on a wee run of five or six wins then it can shoot you right up there.
“We showed it earlier in the season when we were up the top but a couple of defeats and draws and you slide down to mid-table or the bottom six.
“It’s important we get back to winning ways sooner rather than later and we will be aiming to do that against Inverness and build on that going into the derby game against Dundee in the New Year.”
enicolson@thecourier.co.uk