The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Saints go searching for home improvements Veteran striker wants to turn McDiarmid into a fortress as he looks to maintain Saints’ supremacy in derby fixture
With four games unbeaten on the road, three of them wins, St Johnstone’s away form is right back to where they would want it.
And now Steven MacLean is looking for a home record to match.
They won’t be back at McDiarmid Park until the end of January but ending a winless run that stretches to September is the goal for the Saints players in today’s Tayside derby.
And, in Dundee, they have got an opponent they’ve enjoyed Perth superiority over in recent years.
The Dark Blues have only won once in their previous 14 trips to McDiarmid and MacLean is aiming to maintain Saints’ local supremacy after three consecutive years as the top Tayside club in the Labrokes Premiership.
“We have a decent record against Dundee here,” said MacLean.
“We need to make sure our home form is better in the second half of the season.
“We have to win more home games and especially against teams round about us like Dundee that might be fighting for the top six.”
He added: “We didn’t start well in the game at Dens earlier in the season (which Dundee won 3-2) but should still have got a result.
“It will be tough and they have had the benefit of a longer recovery. But we will be refreshed and ready to go.
“They have been blowing a bit hot and cold but I see Neil McCann has been saying their performance levels have been good.
“I gather Meekings is a doubt, which would mean O’Dea coming in probably.
“The young lad Hendry is being tipped up for a move. I haven’t seen a lot of him but he looks a decent player.”
Denny Johnstone made his first start for Saints in the Dens loss and didn’t make much of an impact. But, with two goals in three games, the former Celtic and Morton man is starting to show why Tommy Wright brought him in on loan.
MacLean said: “I enjoyed playing with Denny (against Ross County) and it was good for his confidence getting another goal at Dingwall.
“He has taken time to settle in but we are seeing what he is capable of now.”
With one match left in 2017, whatever today’ s result, Wright will be able to reflect on another successful 12 months.
“Despite a bit of recent criticism it has been another great calendar year for the club,” he said.
“The supporters, the chairman and the board should be delighted with what the players have achieved for them again.
“They keep answering their critics and producing the results. There are signs of putting together a wee run and hopefully we can sign off with a win in the derby.”
Three central midfielders are out today – Liam Craig through suspension and Murray Davidson and Paul Paton because of injury.
Looking ahead to the transfer window opening, Rangers’ final answer on Michael O’Halloran will dictate what, if anything, happens next at McDiarmid.
Wright said: “I don’t know what I am able to bring in at the minute. There are different scenarios. For instance, if Michael stays that might be it. If he doesn’t come back I would like to think I get that money to spend. It’s a case of wait and see.
“The hope from my point of view is that we can get him back but I have tried to get hold of his agent over the last few days and can’t get him. So it’s something we will have to discuss.
“I have told my chairman I would like him back and if there is an opportunity I would like to think that my chairman could make that happen for me.”
O’Halloran will not be the only player on the move if no extension can be agreed as Graham Cummins is expected to leave for Cork City.
“There will be ones going out but that will not happen until next week. There will be some young players going out (on loan) and some players moving on,” Wright said.
Meanwhile, Wright confirmed that Saints won’t be leaving the country for a warm weather training camp and will return to work in Scotland on January 10.
He said: “I believe going away would have been the best way to prepare the team for the second half of the season.
“We run the risk with this bad weather in Scotland that our plans and preparations fall apart next month.
“But if the club can’t justify it for us then as a manager I might not particularly agree with it but I have to accept that decision. Hopefully we can find a way to make sure we get away next year.”