Craig keen to stop the rot against County
Midfielder sure Saints set for upturn
ST JOHNSTONE midfielder Liam Craig reckons it is only a matter of time before his side turn their encouraging performances this season into victories – and says there is no better time to start than against Ross County this afternoon.
The Perth outfit host Stuart Kettlewell’s men at McDiarmid Park this afternoon, where they will look to bounce back from their 1- 0 defeat to Motherwell last time around.
Saints have been dominating their opponents for spells this season but have suffered from an inability to score – but Craig is confident there is enough firepower in Murray Davidson’s squad to ensure they turn it around.
“Look at what Stevie [ May] and Chris [ Kane] have done throughout their careers, that proves they can score goals,” he said. “It’s been tough on Callum [ Hendry]. I think his performances have deserved goals; his work rate and his link- up play has been excellent and it just hasn’t fallen for him in the box.
“The performances have been really positive and we’re creating chances. If we keep doing that then we’ve got players throughout the team that will definitely score goals.
“In the Motherwell game, we lost an early goal against a team that were struggling for a win and we gave them a lift after three or four minutes. After that, we were the better side. It’s important that we start better against Ross County.
“It’s about turning these performances into wins.
To lose three games 1- 0 to Motherwell, Aberdeen and
Hibs, it’s disappointing and it’s something that we have to put right. If that means not playing well at times to grind out a win then I’d love it.
“I’ve been here long enough now that we’ve not played well at times but we’ve found a way to win games and as much as we want to play well and win football matches, right now we need a win and we’ll take it any way it comes.”
Hendry, in particular, will be eager to improve his goal tally. The 22- year- old had a good campaign last time around, scoring seven league goals despite being largely limited to coming off the bench, but has yet to etch his name on the scoresheet this season.
Craig reckons it will not be long until the son of Scotland internationalist Colin gets firing once again and insisted the striker’s all- round play has been excellent, despite the lack of goals this season.
“I’ve spoken to him and told him how well he’s been doing,” Craig said. “As a midfielder, having him in front of us this season has been great in terms of how he’s pressed and his hold- up play. I’ve told him not to worry about scoring goals because they will come.
“But definitely, his performances throughout the season have deserved a goal and hopefully it comes sooner rather than later.”
County will be making the journey south every bit as eager to atone for a defeat in their last outing as their hosts will. The Staggies lost 5- 0 to Celtic last time around but impressed for large spells against the champions, and Craig is all too aware of the threat they pose – particularly in attack.
Craig said: “They’ll be pleased with the start they made and, hearing their manager’s comments after the Celtic game, it wasn’t a
5- 0 game. [ Billy] Mackay and [ Ross] Stewart are boys who can cause you problems. We’ve worked on how we can stop their strengths and how we can hurt them. It’s a game we’re looking forward to.”