The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
MacPherson wants a big Saints revival
Cammy MacPherson did not anticipate a nail-biting relegation battle in his first season as a St Johnstone player.
And the former St Mirren midfielder is determined the club will be contending for cups and a top six finish next term.
MacPherson played a big part in ensuring Saints negotiated the play-offs successfully.
But it is not the sort of end-of-campaign drama he would care to sample again.
“It was the biggest relief ever,” said MacPherson, who scored Saints’ second of their four against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
“We are the Premiership team. All the pressure was on us because everyone expected us to get the job done.
“So Inverness were able to have a free hit at us over the two legs and they made it tough.
“But when the third goal went in and then the fourth, it was just amazing – pure relief.
“When the third one went in I dropped to my knees because I knew then it was over. We were staying up.
“At 2-0, especially after the other night, it was still nervy. We really should have been three or four up after Friday.
“The luck we did not get then came back to us with my goal. It was a deflection but you have to take what you get.”
He added: “Personally and collectively, the season was just so up and down. It was really hard at times.
“We went through that bad sticky patch in November and December but since the turn of the year we’re about sixth or seventh in the form table points-wise.
“So while we did have an uplift, it wasn’t the season we wanted to have.
“We can’t afford to let it happen again. No way.
“We don’t want to be in this position again next year.
“We want to be back fighting for the top six and going deep into the cup competitions.
“We will learn from it. It is been tough and we played under the pressure of maybe getting relegated for a long time.
“So for the boys to play like we did in the play-offs for two games was a real credit to the club.”
Fleetwood Town are set to make their move for St Johnstone legend Shaun Rooney.
The talismanic defender is Saints’ player for the big occasion.
Not only did he secure a unique place in club folklore last season by scoring two cup-winning goals at Hampden Park, he also recently found the net in both legs of Saints’ Premiership play-off against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
He is now out of contract and Courier Sport understands newlyappointed Fleetwood manager Scott Brown is keen to take him to England’s League One.
Kilmarnock may also throw their hat into the ring after bouncing back from the Championship at the first attempt.
Perth boss Callum Davidson put all contract talks on hold until Saints knew which division they would be playing their football in next season.
Zander Clark and Jamie McCart are certain to depart, with Callum Hendry another star man sure to have plenty of options.
“We might lose a few players,” said Davidson. “Zander is a definite one – but we need to replace them with quality.
“What I would like to say is none of the players going to be out of contract have downed tools.
“They’ve worked their socks off.”