Anderson keen to emulate Mackay and lead Saints into Europe

ST JOHNSTONE: Perth skipper warns team-mates that ‘it’s not job done yet’

Steven Anderson had a hard act to follow after taking over the captain’s armband from Dave Mackay earlier this season.

So with another top six finish all but secured, the St Johnstone skipper would love to emulate his long-time defensive colleague by leading the Perth club into Europe.

That means fending off Hearts in the race to claim fourth place – and relying on anyone but Hibs to lift the Scottish Cup in May.

Anderson, 31, who has been forced to sit out recent wins against Dundee and Motherwell with a hamstring injury, said: “It’s a tremendous achievement making the top six again and full credit to the squad. But it’s not job done yet.

“We seem to do it every year. New players coming in buy into what we are doing here and what the gaffer wants from us.

“Saturday was typical of us. Maybe we weren’t convincing but we won at Motherwell and that’s what matters.

“We seem to have the knack of winning games and we were excellent defensively. It’s great to be in the top six again in my first year as captain after following on from Cuptie (Mackay) when he had to bow out with a hip problem. But it’s not about me. It’s all about the squad here and the motivation everyone gets from the gaffer to make the top six.

“It’s hard for the team to get better every year but it is another great achievement for the club.

“But this is just the top six. We want more than that. Fourth place is there for us but we have to keep it going.

“We usually have a decent record when we make the top six so hopefully that continues.”

Anderson, who made his Saints debut in 2004, added: “There isn’t pressure on us in the sense of relegation or playoffs. Maybe we have done well in the top six because the expectation levels aren’t as high here as they are at some other clubs.

“I keep saying it every year but our initial target at the start of the season always has to be staying in the league.

“But then we start looking forward to see what can be achieved.

“We had Europe four years in a row until losing out last summer.

“You do miss the buzz and it looks great on the CV.

“But on the other hand maybe we have benefited from having a break because qualifying for the early rounds of the Europa League makes for a very long season.

“You never know who you are going to get or how far you have to travel. Then the opposition gets harder as you progress.

“I think we probably have benefitted from a break from Europe because we were fresher for the League Cup.

“But it would be great for the players and the fans to get back there again.”

Injured pair Anderson and midfielder David Wotherspoon are on track to take advantage of the international break and make the squad for the trip to face Hamilton next weekend.

The defender said: “I will be back training next week so hopefully I will make the Hamilton game.

“I picked up the hamstring injury against Rangers but managed to get through the game with the adrenalin pumping.

“It has been frustrating sitting out the last two games.”

Pictures: PPA. Steven Anderson, left, is desperate to emulate his predecessor Dave Mackay and lead St Johnstone into Europe.