Homecoming of sorts for Saints youngster

McCann talks of ‘cool and a wee bit surreal’ bow at Easter Road

Wright continued: “First everyone has to take responsibility for their own performance and then collectively.

“And I mean that as an entire 11, not just the back four because you defend from all areas of the pitch.”

Meanwhile, young Saints midfielder Ali McCann will be on familiar territory at Easter Road tomorrow afternoon.

“Growing up I wouldn’t say I was a Hibs fan, but I followed them,” he said.

“It’ll be nice to be at Easter Road and I should know a couple of people in the crowd.

“That doesn’t really make a difference to me. I played at Celtic but apart from that it will be the biggest stadium for me to play in.

“It’s cool and a wee bit surreal. But you just need to not think about the crowd and play as you normally would.”

A free weekend after their Betfred Cup exit was the last thing the Saints squad wanted, McCann admitted

“It’s been nice to get a wee break but, to be honest, you just want to play,” he said.

“The team really want to get more games and build some momentum.

“We know the Betfred Cup didn’t go very well and that is pretty obvious. Then the first game against Celtic wasn’t very good.

“But I thought second half against Livingston we bounced back and showed that hopefully we are kicking into our stride now.

“I know I can still do much better but as a team we haven’t been good enough.

“We’re looking at this season as pushing for top six. You can’t have too high expectations because of the budgets and things like that.

“First and foremost you need to get points on the board to make sure thoughts of relegation are not a possibility. We’ve only played two games. I’m sure we’ll start picking up results and then push up the table.”

This is McCann’s breakthrough season at McDiarmid Park after a successful loan spell at Stranraer.

And the youngster believes there is plenty of room for improvement over the coming weeks and months.

“I’m feeling more confident every game because the more you play, the more you get used to it,” he said.

“You can start expressing yourself a bit more as you get more comfortable on the pitch. The manager is always positive but if I’m doing something wrong then he’ll let me know.

“I think he has a lot of confidence in me and that helps. It means I can get out there knowing that he is going to back me.

“Everyone in my position also helps me to talk me through the game, making my life much easier.”

Picture: SNS. Progress: Ali McCann followed Hibs as a boy – and is now looking forward to playing at Easter Road.