CAP MISS HAS MATT FIRED UP
ST MIRREN v ST J’STONE
MATTY KENNEDY was seconds away from bagging his first international cap against the Czech Republic.
The chance was snatched away when Northern Ireland’s halftime lead was slashed by two swift goals in Prague.
But the St Johnstone winger is confident his chance will come again.
Kennedy, who played for Scotland at every youth level from Under-15s to the Under-21s, was on the bench for the 3-1 Euro qualifier loss to Holland and the friendly win against the Czechs.
He said: “You want to play so it was disappointing not to get on the pitch.
“I was stripped and ready to come on against the Czech Republic when we were 3-1 up but they scored a quick second. It was a case of ‘sit back down’, which is fair enough.”
The 24-year-old relished training sessions alongside experienced internationals such as Rangers midfielder Steven Davis, with 100-plus caps, and Leicester City defender Jonny Evans.
He said: “Even though I didn’t get off the bench, being part of the set-up was still a great experience, learning from guys like Steven and Jonny.
“They are very good players. Their standards are so high you try to lift your own. They keep their standards, no matter what.”
Tommy Wright’s Saints will leapfrog St Mirren if they can post their first win of the campaign today.
Kennedy said: “Before the break, the Ross County game was our biggest of the season and here we are again. We’re both down there and this is the sort of game we have to win.
“Getting that first win would give us confidence to move to the next level. Things could snowball
“We have good players in this team. We should never be bottom.
“I’ve scored four goals so far. I got seven last season and my target has to be double figures. I haven’t managed that before.
“I used to look to take on four and five players and score. There’s not many goals like that nowadays. I have a better understating of where I have to be now.”
Perth boss Wright, who will bring back on-loan Rangers midfielder Jason Holt after a calf injury, is eager to kick-start the campaign with victory.
He said: “We know a win will take us off the bottom.
“The longer the wait for that first win the more we get asked about it and the more the pressure builds.
“We aren’t happy with the position we are in but we aren’t panicking. It’s going to be a tough game but they’ll know that too.”