Paton wary of winless Caley

SAINTS: Midfielder defends Foran

Paul Paton reckons St Johnstone will face an Inverness side desperate to fight for Richie Foran today after the rookie boss bravely shouldered the blame for their nightmare Ladbrokes Premiership start.

Caley Thistle have lost their opening three league fixtures, including last weekend’s 5-1 drubbing by Hearts.

But Paton, who will line-up for Saints at the Caledonian Stadium, has been impressed by the way Irishman Foran has deflected blame away from his team by accepting responsibility for the loses.

The midfielder said: “I think they’re just on a blip. They still have the core of the team that did so well in the last few years.

“They have a manager in there that they obviously respect. He’s been a teammate for a long time, so he will be close to the lads up there.

“I’ve met Richie a number of times and I’m sure he’ll turn things around. I think he’ll get it right.

“He’s been big and brave in the last few weeks. I’ve seen interviews he’s given in the last few weeks where he has come out and admitted the results were his fault.

“That takes the heat off the players and, for a manager to be willing to do that, I think the players will give their all for him.

“He’s showing leadership, even though he will know deep down it’s not all his own fault. But that means the players have no pressure on them going into this weekend.”

Paton was part of a Dundee United squad last term that got off to a slow start and never recovered.

But he does not think Inverness are on the same path to relegation.

“They have a lot of good players, a lot of experienced players. It’s a new manager they have got in with fresh ideas and I’m sure they will pick up results,” he said.

“It was a bit different last year at United. We lost a lot of our top players, but they seem to have kept hold of most of theirs.”

Saints were given a 45-minute lesson last week as they shipped three first-half goals to Celtic.

“After playing Celtic you know it’s only going to get easier from there.”