Daily Record

Seven day summer? Fine by me

ST J’STONE v PARTICK Paton hopes for cap call and Europa League spot for Saints

- GORDON BANNERMAN sport@dailyrecor­d.co.uk

PAUL PATON admits he didn’t give the Europa League even a moment’s thought when he signed for St Johnstone. After suffering the pain of relegation with Dundee United the midfielder’s top priority was playing top-flight football. But with a six-point lead over fourthplac­ed Hearts, the Perth club can close in on another Europa League invite with a home win over Partick Thistle. Paton, 30, is also hoping to retain his place in Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland World Cup squad, even if it means playing through the summer. He said: “I don’t know how long I’ll get off in the close season – if anything. It might just be seven days because there’s a possibilit­y I’ll be away with Northern Ireland. “The day I get back from that would be the start of our pre-season. I would have had seven days off because Northern Ireland go away on May 29, play New Zealand in Belfast on June 2 then in Azerbaijan on June 10. We’re due back here the same day.

“But I’m just taking things as they come. I’ve yet to be called up by Michael O’Neill and we’ve yet to qualify for Europe. It’s all ifs and buts at the moment.”

Paton admits the Perth players are determined to reach out and grasp the Europa League prize.

He said: “It was a great achievemen­t to finish in the top six. To go on and secure European football with a club of our size, fanbase and budget would be unbelievab­le.

“I’ve never played in Europe so this would be my first time.

“When I signed the only thing I cared about was not being relegated. I’d just left a club with a big budget and good players who had gone down. So I know you can’t take anything for granted.”

The midfielder, who has been shortliste­d for Player of the Year at Saints, said: “I think I’ve done okay but I could probably have done better.

“I’d like to think I’ve contribute­d but I think I’m just making up the numbers in the club Player of the Year list!”

The former Jags skipper recalls championin­g Swindon target and PFA Manager of the Year nominee Alan Archibald for the Firhill post when Jackie McNamara went to Dundee United. And his faith has been justified.

Paton said: “When Jackie left I said to the directors that Alan should get the job. They gave him it and he’s not looked back.

“When I came from Queen’s Park I’d never met anybody as profession­al as Alan – the way he looked after himself on and off the pitch, the way he trained and the way he treated the young boys.

“He was a captain and leader and I knew he’d be a good manager. Everybody respected him.

“The players here have the same sort of respect for our manager Tommy Wright. He’s brought most of us here and he’s put together a squad of pros who know how to see out a game.

“He’s won a Scottish Cup and done well in the league every year. You’re always going to get respect from that.”

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