‘Selfish’ Swanson has his eye on goals

Danny Swanson wants to be known as a goal scorer as well as a goal maker, and the St Johnstone midfielder is on the right track to succeeding in his aim.

The former Dundee United man already has three goals to his name in the Betfred Cup, so a target of 10 for the season certainly appears attainable.

Swanson, who will be looking to add to his tally in the last group match against Stirling Albion this afternoon, said: “A couple of penalties have helped but goals are definitely something I want to add to my game,” he said.

“I’ve always been more about assisting players but this year I need to be more selfish.”

Swanson has long been eyeing up the penalty-taker role in the team and two out of two last weekend has got him the job for the foreseeable future.

Swanson became a dad for the second time on Monday.

A couple of days earlier, the ex-Hearts playmaker enjoyed a nice family moment on the pitch at McDiarmid with older son Roman after his manof-the-match Falkirk performance, which was captured by the BT Sport cameras.

Saints had hoped to clinch their place in the last 16 with a win at Brechin but the draw (and defeat in the penalty shoot-out) means another point is required today.

A win would give them a chance of being one of the top four first-placed teams and earn a seeding for tomorrow’s second round draw.

“Stirling will probably set up similarly to Brechin but we’re back on a bigger pitch. Brechin’s is very small.”

Saints’ squad is unlikely to change from midweek.

Danny Swanson: now Saints’ penalty taker.