Joe praises Ando for improving his game

Joe Shaughnessy believes he has become a more competent defender because of Steven Anderson.

The duo have formed a formidable partnership in the heart of the St Johnstone defence this term.

And the Irishman reckons Anderson, who played his 400th game for the club against Celtic last week, still has plenty left in the tank.

Shaughnessy said:“I’ve definitely improved playing alongside him, you are able to see how he plays and defends. He is a good example to look at.

“It’s a pleasure to play alongside him. He gets the reputation of being a bit of a grump — and he deserves that.

“But we’ve had a good partnership this year. He is good at encouraging and obviously his experience helps.

“What a servant Ando has been for the club. He is a legend now with that cup final goal.

“He is still only 31, so there are a lot more games to come.”

Shaughnessy will be without his defensive partner against Partick Thistle this weekend due to suspension and he said: “It’s always a tough game against Partick and they have had a very good season.

“It would be nice to have the security of having sealed European football going into the last couple of games.

“But we’ll concentrate on ourselves.

“A lot of people probably wouldn’t have put us fourth going into the split. We’ve worked hard, so Europe would be a nice reward at the end of the season.”