Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Clark sees Livingston game as ‘massive’ opportunity for Saints
ST JOHNSTONE produced the “complete opposite” of a display in making amends for defeat to St Mirren by beating Aberdeen, according to Nicky Clark.
Now the Perth side have to ensure the performance level and result are identical for their next match against Livingston.
Saints fans have been waiting for a “statement win” after the mid-season break.
It came at Pittodrie, with Clark setting the ball rolling from the penalty spot just before half-time.
And the former Dundee United man is determined there will be no backwards lurch when basement side Livingston visit McDiarmid Park this weekend.
“I think we let ourselves down badly at St Mirren and everything that was said after the game was spot on,” said Clark.
“It was nowhere near good enough.
“You don’t deserve to win any football game if you don’t battle and you don’t fight.
“So, as a group, we knew we had to go up to Aberdeen and perform and fight and battle. I think we did that. It’s a huge win, but there are still 10 games to go, a long way.
“Football is a crazy game that can change quickly.
“We will just concentrate on ourselves and take confidence from this. We know tomorrow is big for us and we’ll be going for the three points. The game is massive. It’s about getting a wee run now.”
A wee run of Clark goals would certainly help the Perth cause. That was his fifth of an injury-plagued campaign.
“It was a bit of a wait before the penalty but, to be fair, I practice them every day before training,” he said. “I knew what way I was going if we got a penalty – and that’s exactly what I did. I just concentrated on keeping my mind on the job and thankfully it went in.”