Levein relaxes and allows Clark and Sidibeh to lead charge

CRAIG LEVEIN says he is now “comfortable” playing two strikers for St Johnstone thanks to the fledgling partnership between Nicky Clark and Adama Sidibeh.

The Saints boss admitted he has been reluctant to use two frontmen for much of this season.

But the return to fitness of experienced goal-getter

Clark, allied with January recruit Sidibeh’s growing confidence, means Levein is willing to sacrifice a player in midfield.

“I’m at the point where I’m comfortable playing two strikers,” he said before today’s clash with Hibs at Easter Road.

“I wasn’t at one point. I didn’t think we were getting enough with two up top, so I was adding another midfield player.

“But I think the front two are justifying their positions and I feel we’ve got a better chance of scoring goals with them there.

“Adama has been really good this week.

“He’s pouncing on loose balls in the box and smashing them home.

“He’s really got a powerful shot and his pace will hurt anybody – and his willingness to work is the other thing.

“I’m hoping he and Nicky are going to play again together (against Hibs).”

Hibs have pace, power and goals in the attacking third.

But Levein, whose side turned in one of their best performances of the season in beating the Leith outfit at McDiarmid Park in December, believes their forward-thinking approach also leaves them vulnerable.

“Hibs’ style of football is one of concentrating more on the attacking side than the defensive side,” he said.

“So it’s a wee bit like what Ange Postecoglou did at Celtic – the focus is on the attack.

“You do get chances against a team playing like that though.

“I don’t think Nick Montgomery bothers too much about that. It’s just about ‘can we score more than the opposition?’

“That’s their type of game, I think.”