ALI BANKING ON QUICK RECOVERY Midfield man says Saints will lift it
Ali McCann is hoping for an instant reaction as St Johnstone bid to bounce back from a shock Betfred Cup defeat at Montrose.
The Perth side lost out at Links Park on Tuesday and now the task of finishing top of Group B will be a challenging one.
Saints struggled to get into any rhythm midweek but McCann has backed his fellow team-mates to raise the intensity on Sunday afternoon.
Group leaders Ross County, who thrashed Brechin 4-0 in their latest match, visit McDiarmid Park for a game being aired live on television.
Speaking after the Montrose game, McCann said: “It’s not an ideal start to the campaign and I don’t think we did enough to deserve the win.
“It’s disappointing and never good to start with a defeat, especially coming into a game where we were the favourites.
“We didn’t get it going on the night but hopefully we can now come back and be better.
“It’s good that there is a game coming soon. We’ll shrug it off, move Ali McCann in action at Montrose
on and go again on Sunday. We’ll wait and see but hopefully I get put back in. Again I will try to do my best.
“Ross County will be good and have just come up to the Premiership. They’ll have a spring in their step.
“But hopefully we can play better than Tuesday night in our first home game and get that win.
“I think there needs to be a wee bit more intensity in the final third, Photo: Chris Logan
getting shots and crosses in to keep testing the goalkeeper.”
McCann realised Montrose would provide a stern test having faced them while on loan at Stranraer last season.
“My loan at Stranraer was great and the best thing I could have done,” McCann said.
“I got consistent games for the second half of the season. It helped me grow so much and it’s something I would highly recommend.
“It’s not quite the same as playing reserves. You get used to some of the battles in Scottish football.
“I played Montrose last year with Stranraer and they are a good side. It’s never nice coming here because they make it hard.
“And, to be fair, they get the ball down and play a bit. We had plenty of the ball but just lacked that cutting edge to get in behind.
“I think I can do better than that personally. I’ll just need to keep building and take every game as we go.
“If I keep getting chances then I need to play as well as I can. Hopefully the manager then trusts me enough to keep me on.”
Saints’ injury woes should improve for Sunday’s match as Zander Clark, Liam Craig, Chris Kane and Steven Anderson recover.
McCann knows there are a number of options in the midfield with experienced players like Craig and Murray Davidson to fend off.
“I’m not going to rest on my
laurels,”McCann said. “I’ll keep going, keep progressing and hopefully get more and more games.
“There’s plenty of other players that can take my place if I’m not performing.
“The more experienced players have been very helpful and day in, day out they lead by example.
“If you can do anything near what they have done, then I’ll be happy.
“They are still quality players so it’s always tough competition going into every game.”
Saints lacked firepower on Tuesday night and were this week believed to be continuing their pursuit of former striker Stevie May.
Chairman Steve Brown released a statement on Tuesday saying the club was“prepared to go that extra mile”in their attempt to bring the frontman back.
*Kick-off for Sunday’s match against Ross County is 3pm and only the Main Stand will be open.
Season tickets are valid for the two group stage matches in the Betfred Cup competition.
For non-season ticket holders, an advance ticket can be purchased only online and the ticket, either print at home or display on phone, can be presented at any of the turnstiles.
Cash admission is available to home supporters at turnstiles three, four and five. Supporters will be issued with a ticket upon entry at the turnstile.
Main Stand season ticket holders are entitled to their own reserved seat while season ticket holders from the other stands are welcome to sit in any unreserved standard seat.