Wright set for fixture challenge
Kennedy targeting a top-half finish with St Johnstone
Kennedy spoke about his desire to secure a top-six finish for Saints after the Topps Match Attax 2018/2019 launch last week. The Perth men sit fifth after four games (inset) St Johnstone winger Matty Kennedy has his sights set on a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership.
The Perth summer signing is feeling revitalised after the international break and ready to continue a positive start to the campaign.
Kennedy has been pleased with early season form but wants nothing more than another three points against Aberdeen tomorrow.
He knows games like this weekend’s could turn out to be crucial in Saints’ mission of cementing an upper tier finish.
“We want to be one of those Hearts Celtic Kilmarnock Livingston ST JOHNSTONE Hibernian Rangers Aberdeen Motherwell Hamilton St Mirren Dundee P 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 W 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 L 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 D 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright is relishing the next month of fixtures.
The Perth men welcome Aberdeen this weekend before travelling to Ibrox to play Rangers the following Sunday.
A fixture with Hearts on September 29 is then sandwiched between a doubleheader with Celtic, the first a Betfred Cup quarter-final tie.
Wright realises the nature of the challenge ahead but says his squad will be prepared to prove the doubters wrong.
He told the Perthshire Advertiser: “We have a tough run coming up but it’s one I’m looking forward to.
“In the next month, we play all the top teams and I’d imagine most people will give us zero points and out of the cup.
“So, let’s bring it on and see what happens.
“You want to play against the best teams, we have had spells in the past where we have done well against the better teams and we have had spells in the past where it hasn’t been so good.
“I always believe we can win every game we play, that won’t change. It’s a tough run, that’s for sure, but it’s one we’re ready to meet head on.”
Wright reckons tomorrow’s opponents Aberdeen will again be challenging up the top end of the table this season.
He said: “Aberdeen have lost key players from last season and have been hampered by a lot of injuries too.
“They have been the secondbest team in the country for a while now, so the expectation is there and people see them as a scalp.
“Derek has had a really bad injury list but he’s still got a strong squad and they will be one of the teams right up there come the end of the season.”
Kick-off on Saturday at McDiarmid Park is 3pm.