St Johnstone's Kenny Deuchar says is confident he can secure SPL status

Nov 17 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

STRIKER Kenny Deuchar is confident he can get the goals that will secure St Johnstone’s SPL status.

The imposing hitman is nursing a groin injury but, with his time on the treatment table coming to an end, he hopes a run-out against Hearts on Saturday will allow him to open his top flight account for the season.

The 29-year-old’s four goals so far this term have all come in the Co-operative Insurance Cup, but the former Gretna man remains up-beat when analysing his performances a quarter of the way into the league campaign.

He said: “The only target I set myself is to be involved in as many games as I can.

“I feel I’ve done well in the games that I’ve played and the team’s improved as a result of me being on the pitch.

“We’ve only lost one of the games I’ve started so, from a personal point of view, I feel I’m contributing – I’ve just got to work hard and do my bit when I’m called upon by the manager.

“Not scoring doesn’t play on my mind. I’ve been playing well and the team’s been doing OK, that’s the main thing.

“If I wasn’t scoring, and the team were on a run of poor form, then it would start to worry me – I’ve started nine games and we’ve only lost one of them so, as I’ve said, I fell I’ve made my contribution,” he said.

After a fortnight with only physiotherapy and the thought of bounce games to keep him occupied – an adventure day at Crieff’s Hydro Hotel excepting – Deuchar admits both he and the rest of the Perth players will be “champing at the bit” once the 12.30pm kick-off at Tynecastle comes around.

He said: “I was stiff and sore for a couple of days after my injury against Aberdeen, but I’ll be back in training this week and in contention for Saturday.

“The break has been beneficial for me in terms of my recovery but, as far as the rest of the squad are concerned, it’s hard because you want to get back on track as soon as possible after a defeat.

“We’ll be champing at the bit to get a positive result down in Edinburgh.

“Unfortunately I missed out on the adventure day because I was doing my rehab, but all the injured boys met up with the rest of the squad afterwards.

“Creating a good team spirit is only going to stand us in good stead when times get hard this season – we know we’re all in the same boat, pulling in the same direction.

“We’re in the semi-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup and, if we finish where we are currently in the table, I think both the management and the players would be quite happy,” he said.