DYKES IS THE DANGER MAN
McCart warns team-mates of Livingston striker’s threat
Jamie McCart will urge his fellow team-mates to keep close tabs on Livingston forward Lyndon Dykes when Livingston visit Perth tomorrow.
St Johnstone’s newest defensive addition is very familiar with the Australian forward having competed against him in the Championship last season.
McCart is aware how dangerous he can be but insists Saints will cause their own problems if they get the ball down and play their own game.
“I played against him a lot in the
Championship last year when he was at Queen of the South,” McCart told the PA. “He is a decent big player and puts himself about. He definitely suits the club.
“I know Livingston’s home record is a lot stronger than their away record. You know what you are getting when you play Livingston.
“They are very physical and direct. The key is that we don’t try to copy them. We need to play our own game and hopefully the quality will show.”
McCart has fitted in nicely to the Perth backline since arriving in January and is hoping to build on Wednesday night’s clean sheet against St Mirren. “It’s been brilliant since I’ve come in - and with anyone who I have played beside,” said McCart. “We’ve got good defenders at the club and good fluidity.
“Coming into Premiership football has been brilliant for me and it’s been an excellent start with great results. I just want to kick on.
“It was a surprise to be thrown on in my first game in the second half against Celtic, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way than getting thrown in at the deep end.
“It gave me the opportunity to show that I should be playing week in, week out.
“Boys come in and out but that never really seems to change the
team. That is massive with how the schedule is and how the games are.
“With the way the pitches are, legs can be heavy and sometimes everyone can’t play constantly. We’re lucky enough to have the squad to rotate it at times.”
McCart realises the overall performance on Wednesday fell below the required standard but he also knows the top six chase is well and truly on.
He said: “The gaffer said at half-time that we were disappointing in the first half, never got going or passed the ball well.
“But it’s funny how football works out and we are glad to come away with a point and a clean sheet is always a positive.
“Results elsewhere weren’t too bad on Wednesday night in terms of top six. We need to get a couple of wins, especially with the aim of pushing into the top six. It’s in our hands.
“The boys had a slow start to the season but took it upon themselves to show more character and turn it around.
“We’ve stayed solid at the back and built on that. You see the quality we have going forward. It was only a matter of time before we started banging in some goals.”
Manager Tommy Wright is hopeful striker Callum Hendry will have recovered from a knock in time for tomorrow’s match.