Saints target the top spot

Oct 24 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

KEVIN Rutkiewicz wants to make this a weekend to remember.

Saints have their sights set on going top of the table during the second quarter and the Perth skipper has been delighted by the transformation in their fortunes since an awful August.

A 4-0 whipping from tomorrow’s opponents Partick Thistle plumbed the depths and puts in perspective how magnificently manager Derek McInnes and his squad have responded in the face of adversity, with 13 points bagged from the last 15.

Rutkiewicz remembers precious little of the Firhill humiliation, spending two days in hospital after the game with medics diagnosing viral meningitis.

But the defender has bounced back to form a solid backline partnership with Stuart McCaffrey.

Yesterday, he said: “I don’t remember much about that game but it’s all been put to bed, the same as the win over Livingston last week. After a poor start we are on a great run and we are determined to keep it going.

“We’re right back in the mix and despite a couple of horror shows early on we’re just a point off the pace. There are plenty of positives.

“But we have to be on our mettle for every game. We all know how tight it is in this league. We picked up 14 points over the first quarter, added another three after Livi and now we have to step it up.”

While others might have been looking elsewhere for the potential champions, the defender insisted: “We never wrote off our chances. The league is so cut throat it’s unbelievable but we were bedding in new players early on and that can take time. But no excuses, we just weren’t performing at that stage.

“Thistle will be tough. It’s not about revenge, although it would be nice to get that one back.

“It’s about getting results rather than being spectacular in this league but I still believe there’s more to come from us. Look at the quality of Stevie Milne’s goal at Livi. It wasn’t just about the finish.

“We’ve been winning without being brilliant. But we are definitely hard to beat now.

“That has to continue but we have quality players here and confidence is on the up and up. There’s a real buzz about the place.

“It could be the turn of the year before teams break away from the pack and we’re determined to give ourselves a chance.”

Jody Morris and Kevin James both got game time in a 2-0 closed doors clash with Forfar in midweek but McInnes is prepared to adopt a cautious approach.

He wasn’t happy with East Fife’s late reserves call-off but welcomed Forfar manager Dick Campbell’s co-operation.

The goals came from Peter MacDonald and Andy Jackson, who hurt his ankle. While Collin Samuel should resume training on Monday, Perth injury worries focus on Jackson and Kevin Moon (neck and shoulder). Gavin Swankie returns to the squad after illness and could start on the wing.

McInnes admits the Firhill defeat was a low point of his brief managerial career.

He said: “Thistle scored three unbelievable goals but we were inept and lacking in all departments, including fighting spirit and basic defending. But I think we’ve learned from that defeat and while we won’t be dwelling on it I think it’s healthy to remember it as a motivation tool. If you don’t compete you’re always likely to be on the end of a poor result.

“It’s as low as I’ve felt since taking the job but I’d have felt the same if I’d been a player. It was a difficult Saturday night.

“But the players deserve huge credit for dragging themselves up the table. But it must continue. The boys have to continue showing desire and keep digging in for each other.

“We’re within a point of the leaders and I’d love to be top of the league and try to stay there. I’d have no qualms about leading from the front. But really we’ve just made up for our poor start and have to take it on.

“The team which sustains a long unbeaten run will possibly be the one which goes up. I want to be the team which does just that. We’ve given ourselves a chance but that’s all it is at the moment. We have to sustain it.”

*THERE will be a traditional one minute’s silence before kick-off tomorrow in memory of St Johnstone great Charlie McFadyen, whose funeral service was held yesterday in Glasgow. He made 336 starts for Saints between 1955 and 1965 and the club has paid tribute to his immense contribution. Only the late Drew Rutherford has played more times for the Perth club.

SAINTS were involved in a tribunal yesterday after being at loggerheads with Falkirk over a fee for Liam Craig.

SAINTS have a reserve game on Tuesday away to Ross County.