St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas believes his side’s achievements this season have not received the recognition they fully deserve.
That’s in part because of the understandable focus on Highland duo Ross County and Inverness who have been the SPL surprise packages.
However, with Saints still chasing their dream of consecutive European qualifications for the first time in their history, Lomas insists his players can secure the plaudits he feels they are due.
He said: “I’m not being critical of anyone when I say our lads haven’t really got the recognition they deserve. That’s just the way it is with Ross County coming up from the First Division and doing so well and Inverness also pushing for Europe for the first time in their history.
“Because we qualified last season, we have been overlooked and to some extent the same has happened with Motherwell where Stuart McCall deserves congratulations for pretty much securing second place. He has done a magnificent job and us gingers have to stick together, even if Stuart insists he’s a strawberry blonde!
“I just think the lads here have been working away quietly under the radar but they can share some of the glory if they can nail down back-to-back European qualifications. That is something I never managed in all my years as a player. What a thing it would be for the players to have on their CV, especially with a so-called provincial club.
“We have three massive games on our plate, starting with the derby against Dundee United and then it’s Celtic away before Motherwell here on the last day of the season. I know the lads are up for it.
“A lot of the boys are going out of contract and we are losing Liam Craig to Hibs, probably Murray Davidson and maybe a few more if we can’t get something on the table. So that makes their commitment and professionalism even more impressive.
“For us to be fighting and scrapping for Europe with three games to go is brilliant and I am really proud of the boys. Now I just want them to see the job through.
“The aim has been to keep our prospects alive going into the final home game of the season against Motherwell and the weekend win over Terry Butcher’s boys certainly helped our cause, although they still hold the advantage because they have two home games. We will have to go to Tannadice and get a result and we might even need one away to Celtic.
“I really hope the fans are enjoying this and not taking the top six for granted. It would be great if we can take a big and vocal support to Tannadice on Saturday for the derby. That could make all the difference.”
It would have taken a brave or possibly foolhardy Saints fan who would have put money on his side chasing a European qualification spot after a terrible start to the season which saw the Perth side take just two out of a possible 15 points.
Lomas insists the reversal of fortunes was down to teamwork rather than an individual such as the prolific goalscorers who have been nominated for the SPFA Player of the Year award.
However, he was keen to highlight the contribution of striker Steven MacLean, who scored the vital winner against Inverness on Saturday.
Lomas said: “Macca has been key for us given the set-up we are going with, which suits the team. He is a great pro, like so many others here who fall into that category, and he has sacrificed the chance of more goals for the team.
“You don’t score 20 goals in the Championship down south without being a quality player and Macca is the best finisher at the club.
“It is good to know he is one of the players we have under contract for next season and hopefully we can get a few more of the lads tied up.”
Another player with a year left on his deal is Nigel Hasselbaink but the Dutchman has questioned whether he is part of Lomas’s plans as he has been denied a starting place in the Saints side recently.
However, the manager challenged the wide man to prove he is deserving of being one of the first names on his team sheet.
He added: “I understand totally where Nigel is coming from but he has to take the bull by the horns if he is to make that step up to a higher level.
“The benchmark for a winger throughout my career has always been Ryan Giggs. With all his medals, if it is good enough for him to work hard for the team and challenge for every ball, then he sets an example for every wide player. He looked at himself on and off the pitch, he does his pilates and it’s no accident his career has gone on for so long.
“Players have to ask themselves what they can do to progress as a player. Nigel is a great kid and he and Gregory Tade have been a breath of fresh air. They are two likeable characters and a welcome addition. And I still believe Nigel can be a regular for us and step up to another level but it is down to him.”
Meanwhile, on-loan midfielder Mehdi Abeid was undergoing a scan back at Newcastle United yesterday on the thigh injury he suffered against Inverness and Saints face an anxious wait to discover whether he will be able to play any part in the remaining three games.