Wright: Weneed tosortout individual mistakes
match their energy and put in a good performance.
“Growing up I wouldn’t say I was a Hibs fan, but I followed them. It’ll be nice to be at Easter Road and I should know a couple of people in the crowd.
“That doesn’t really make a difference to me. I played at Celtic but apart from that it will be the biggest stadium for me to play in.
“It’s cool and a wee bit surreal. But you just need to not think about the crowd and play as you normally would.”
Confidence in his own game is increasing all of the time – and McCann knows that will continue to be the case with more matches.
“It’s been nice to get a wee break over the weekend but, to be honest, you just want to play,” he explained.
“The team really want to get more games and build some momentum.
“We know the Betfred Cup didn’t go very well and that is pretty obvious. Then the first game against Celtic wasn’t very good.
“But I thought second half against Livingston we bounced back and showed that hopefully we are kicking into our stride now.
“I know I can still do much better but as a team we haven’t been good enough. We did start to get the ball moving quicker.
“It’s the case for everyone where it can take time to get into your stride and a rhythm. Then you can build on every game from there.
“I’m feeling more confident every game because the more you play, the more you get used to it.
“You can start expressing yourself a bit more as you get more comfortable on the pitch.”
Being thrown into Premiership action has been a baptism of fire but the support of manager Tommy Wright and his team-mates helps the cause. Ali McCann PAGE 58 Tommy Wright is looking for his players to take more responsibility.
The St Johnstone manager has been busy reviewing his side’s start to the season and is keen to eradicate the cheap concession of goals.
Saints, understood to be keen on signing Rangers midfielder Jason Holt on loan, have shipped nine goals in their opening two Premiership matches.
Wright is now urging his squad to cut out individual mistakes ahead of this weekend’s trip to take on Hibs at Easter Road.
“I have looked back at the goals we have conceded so far this season and there is no doubt individual errors are costing us,” Wright said.
“When you are losing goals Wright
the first thing you do is look at the shape of the team and try to find out if that’s the problem.
“But in assessing it, we don’t think that has been too bad – it’s simply too many mistakes.
“We have been working hard on defending and the key thing now is players each taking responsibility.
“First everyone has to take responsibility for their own performance and then collectively. And I mean that as an entire 11, not just the back four.”
Saints’ youth academy lost out 3-2 to Manchester United on Tuesday evening.
Turn to page 59 to read the thoughts of Ewan Loudon, who netted one of the Perth side’s goals.
McCann told the Perthshire Advertiser:“The manager is always positive to encourage and help me. But if I’m doing something wrong then he’ll let me know.
“I think he has a lot of confidence in me and that helps. It means I can get out there knowing that he is going to back me.
“Everyone in my position also helps to talk me through the game, making my life much easier.”
Expectations-wise, McCann is looking up the way.
“We’re looking at this season as pushing for top six,”he said.
“You can’t have too high expectations because of the budgets and things like that.
“First and foremost you need to get points on the board to make sure thoughts of relegation are not a possibility.
“We’ve only played two games. I’m sure we’ll start picking up results and then push up the table.”