May is tipped to find his form
St Johnstone stalwart Liam Craig has backed Stevie May to find his shooting boots and recapture his form of old.
The striker re-joined the club from Aberdeen at the end of last week, penning a two year deal with the option of another.
May’s goals have dried up since leaving Perth but now Craig is certain the 26-yearold will take little time to get back into his stride at McDiarmid Park.
Craig, who also hailed the return of Drey Wright from injury, said: “Stevie and Drey coming back has given us a lift.
“Drey was a massive part of how well we started the season last year. When he came on at the weekend, you saw the pace, drive and how direct he is.
“Stevie will score goals at this level if we give him chances. He is still young at 26 and the good thing is that he’ll get time to come here, play and get back to a level.
“He has not played as much football as he would’ve liked over the last few months.
“But he’s coming back to somewhere that really appreciates not just what he’s done before, but what he is as a footballer.”
The summer transfer window slammed shut last night and Craig knows the addition of new players can only be seen as a positive.
“It’s competition for places and keeps everyone on their toes,” Craig said. “But you see the quality we could bring off the bench on Saturday.
“Regardless of who the manager brings in, I’m positive that there is enough quality within the squad to win games this season.”
Returning Saint Stevie May is desperate to recapture the form that made him a favourite in Perth.
The 26-year-old made his first appearance since moving back to St Johnstone in Saturday afternoon’s defeat against Kilmarnock.
While his 23 minutes on the park were relatively quiet, he knows there is better to come.
“I know myself what I need to do to get back to where I was during my time here, ”said May, a Scottish Cup winner with Saints. “Over the last year or so I have maybe went away from shooting as much as I used to.
“That wasn’t down to anyone telling me to do that, that’s not the case, but sometimes if you’re playing a bit deeper you are more focused on the team and keeping the ball.
“The manager here has just said he wants me back to what I used to be like – shoot on sight and take the chance.
“I think I’m a better all-round player, I’m better on the ball and I have more confidence in my ability to keep possession. But it’s about getting goals and the way teams line-up against St Johnstone should help.”
The dressing room has changed considerably since May was last at the club in 2014. But he said: “There are a few familiar faces here from when I was at the club before. I know them already and I’ll get to know the new lads.
“When you look at the squad there is a lot of attacking players in there and it’s exciting. This is a really young squad.
“But it’s an exciting one, I think there is a lot of potential there if players develop the way the manager thinks they will.”