McMann relishing Saints showdown
BY MICHAEL GANNON SCOTT McMANN reckons slumping to the foot of the table might have spooked St Johnstone – but he’s backing battle-hardened Hamilton to give them another scare.
Accies are used to the annual scrap towards the bottom end but Saints have tended to be in the top six.
It’s been a different story this term as Tommy Wright’s men are anchored and still looking for their first win – while Hamilton are eyeing up the top half.
Defender McMann wants to put more daylight between his side and Saints in Perth today.
He said: “Potentially they have got a bit of a shock being down there, whereas we are used to that pressure.
“But I’m sure they will be right up for it and ready to go, just as we will be.
“Hearts are down there, Hibs are down there and so are St Johnstone. So we know how difficult it will be to stay above them because you expect them to go on a run of games at some point.
“We just need to keep picking up points and hopefully stay above them.
“I’m expecting a difficult game. St Johnstone are battling to get their first win, so they will be right at it and targeting this as a must-win game.
“So we just have to go out and defend properly and try to get something.”
McMann is still celebrating his recent new deal at the Foy Stadium and he insists he can play a veteran’s role at the club – even though he’s still only 23.
He said: “I was happy to get my deal finalised and now I can just focus on my football and helping Hamilton achieve what we want to achieve.
“The deal happened reasonably quickly, it had been in the pipeline for a bit. I was happy to get it finalised.
“I feel I’m now one of the more experienced players in the squad and I’m happy to take on that role and be more of a leader to the younger players.
“I’m only 23 but I’ve played over 100 games, so I feel I should be taking on responsibility and be a leader for the younger boys.
“It’s when you’re on a pitch and getting through a tough game, having played a decent amount of games that helps.
“If you look at the players we have brought in like Brian Easton, Sam Stubbs, Blair Alston, they are all leaders as well, so we have added to the squad and we’ve plenty of leaders – but I’ve been here for seven or eight years, so I’m happy to take on that responsibility.”