Efe knows roar and can help us tame the Lions
Kane: Livi old boy Ambrose will give Saints inside track
CHRIS KANE admits St Johnstone didn’t have to dig too deep for the inside track on Livingston.
That’s because recent recruit Efe Ambrose knows the Lions set-up inside out.
The 32-year-old Nigerian international clocked up nearly 30 appearances for Livi last term. So the one-time Celtic and Hibs defender was the obvious go-to man.
Kane reckons manager Callum Davidson’s decision to secure free agent Ambrose after losing skipper Jason Kerr to Wigan on deadline day has paid dividends, especially with Liam Gordon and Jamie McCart missing recent games through injury and suspension.
Kane said: “Efe has been great since he came in. He’s fitted in well. He likes a laugh in the dressing room with the lads.
“He’s played really well for us and been really solid at the back. Obviously Efe played for Livingston so he’ll know them well and how they play. He’ll tell us all about their strikers.
“Efe’s a top pro. He’s played at the highest levels in his career. He’s a leader who talks to the boys beside him.
“Jamie is quite young as well but he’s also a leader, like Liam Gordon when he comes back.”
On-loan defenders Hayden Muller and Lars Dendoncker have also plugged defensive gaps for Saints with last term’s back three absent.
Kane added: “We have had Hayden coming in for a few games, and Lars as well. They’ve been excellent. The defence has been brilliant whoever has played.
“It’s great to have real competition right across the squad, not just in defence.
“The depth of the squad is really going to help us. We know we have players here who will fit in no problem when we pick up injuries. Hopefully we can kick on now and have another good season.”
In-form Kane scored twice in the 3-1 Tayside derby win over Dundee before the Premiership stopped for the international break. And Perth boss Davidson believes the striker’s game has stepped up a gear after getting regular starts over the past 12 months.
But the 27-year-old insists he’s taking nothing for granted, with Stevie May, Glenn Middleton and Finnish recruit Eetu Vertainen all pushing for places in the forward line.
Kane said: “I never think I’ll be the first name on the team sheet because we have plenty of players who can take your place off you.
“Stevie has come in and done well, Glenn can play in the middle, Eetu is working hard to get a game and Mikey
O’Halloran can play up there too. So I don’t take anything for granted. I’m always aware that the other strikers are chapping at the door.
“Stevie scored himself last week and set up another one, so I’d never think I am automatically going to play.
“You can’t ever slack off because of that, you always have to be on your toes and make sure you keep playing well.
“I was still playing a part when I wasn’t starting so I know what it’s like when you don’t play. You always think you can come on and make an impact. As long as I’m fit and can stay in the team then
I think I’ll get goals. I’ve had injuries in the past so I know how important it is to stay fit.
“I know I have to be on my game and not let things slip.
“There’s a lot of options up front so I have to keep on my toes and make sure I’m training well.”
Efe will tell us all about their strikers. He’ll know how Livi will play CHRIS KANE ON THE SAINT WITH INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
Saints are looking to edge closer to the top six but their initial priority is pulling further away from clubs lower down.
And Kane said: “Livingston is always a hard game but we’re in decent form so are confident. If we can get the win we’ll go eight points ahead of them which would be decent at this stage.”