Saints are hoping it’s third time lucky in the cup as Brechin call in

ST JOHNSTONE hope to record their first competitive victory of the season when Brechin City call in at McDiarmid Park tonight in the Betfred Cup.

Saints have lost their opening two cup fixtures, 1-0 away to Montrose and 2-1 at home to Ross County.

As he approached the game, manager Tommy Wright said: “Our focus is now on the start of the league campaign and our opener away to Celtic a week on Saturday which wil l , obviously, be a difficult game.

“We have two matches before then, Brechin at home tonight and Forfar away this Saturday, and I will field strong sides for both fixtures.

“The players are playing for a spot in the team for the beginning of the league season so these are important matches.

“It’s going to be a test of character for the younger lads in the squad and, hopefully, we can get back to clean sheets and doing the basics well.

“We’ve been creating chances but not putting them away. A case in point was against Ross County where we are 1-0 up and then miss t wo good chances plus another after they had gone 2-1 ahead.

“We proved against Ross County we are capable of causing problems going forward, we just need to score more.”

David Wotherspoon hurt a knee against the Highlanders and is out for a month and Liam Gordon (fractured elbow) and Drey Wright (knee) are still out, with Wright now into his pre-season training.

Saints hope to conclude the signing of Stevie May from Aberdeen in the next 24 hours.

Madis Vihmann is also on his way from Flora Tallinn and his deal will be completed soon. Saints have been tracking him since he played for Estonia against Northern Ireland in March.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright.