Teen’s contract extended by Saints
October.
He was initially required to quarantine due to COVID-19 protocols and is having to spend a lot of time on his own.
“He had been good in training all week,” Kane added. “The goal will give him a lot of confidence to kick on.
“It must be hard for him but he has adapted well and has bonded with all of the boys.
“We all get on with him and he’s a good laugh in the changing room. It’s just a shame we can’t spend more time with him. Hopefully the goal gives him the belief to get another few for us.”
Kane, himself, was understandably thrilled to net one of his own.
“I said to David (Wotherspoon) that it was an unbelievable cross,” smiled Kane. “I was buzzing to see the header find the net but just wish it was the winner.
“I feel I have worked hard the whole time I’ve been at St Johnstone. The manager wants us to press high and attack teams. I do that and the manager is happy. If I’m doing that, I can’t really fault myself.
“But at the end of the day I want to score loads of goals as well. The more I get, the happier I will be.
“Macca (coach Steven MacLean) has been saying I’ve been doing well and knows the goals will come. I know myself they will come.
“I’ll take a shin-roller from a yard out or a 50-yarder like Shankland’s on Tuesday. I just want to keep scoring.”
There remained a sense of frustration that Saints only had a point to show for their efforts.
It’s now 10 games in the league without a win.
“It was a dodgy start but we reacted well,” Kane said. “We had the advantage and, second half, they don’t create much.
“But that wonder-strike... what can you say? Give him another 20 tries and he probably wouldn’t score again.
“He does have it in his locker though and we’ve seen him score good goals before. Credit to him.”
Kane realises that Saints do need to start picking up more points and plans to begin with three at home to St Mirren tomorrow.
He said: “St Mirren have kicked on and have been looking good. They’ll have taken confidence from recent results.
“But we know with the chances we create that we can get goals.
“It’s tight in the league but we’re still not too far away from the likes of Dundee United.
“We’re not thinking too much about being down there.
“A couple of results will help and hopefully Saturday can be the first.”
Alistair Stevenson, head of St Johnstone’s youth academy, is well-placed to provide insight into the club’s rising stars.
One of those making sound progress is central midfielder Alex Ferguson who, on Tuesday, penned a contract extension in Perth.
Saints have moved quickly to extend the 17-year-old’s stay until the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Ferguson made his first-team debut in this season’s 7-0 Betfred Cup group game win against Brechin City at McDiarmid Park.
While only on the park for 15 minutes, he showed a few neat touches. And he had earlier caught manager Callum Davidson’s eye in training by nutmegging him.
Ferguson has been with Saints for a few years now having previously played his football with the Forth Valley Football Academy.
“We were lucky enough to get him and he’s now been with us since the under-14 age group,”Stevenson said.
“He is a good prospect. He made his debut in the Betfred Cup and it was a good 15 minutes. He actually did really well.
“The manager has taken him out of the under-18 training group and into the first team. He’s been there since the start of the season.”
Stevenson pointed to a“good all-round player on the ball”and sees similarities with Ali McCann.
“Alex is a central midfielder,” Stevenson said.“It’s difficult to label him as either more defensive or more attacking.
“He’s a good all-round player on the ball. His use of the ball is very good, he links the play well and he is capable of putting his foot in and pressing.
“There are attributes going up and back the park.
“He is fairly similar to Ali McCann. At 15 or 16 he was comparable to where Ali was at that time. Alex’s progress has been similar.”
The loan path is the expected route of choice for Ferguson but, with football below the Championship suspended for the month of January, plans will likely be on hold.
Stevenson has watched numerous players flourish on loan through the years.
“It was a good way to go for Jason Kerr,”said Stevenson.“He picked up a lot of games. And it was the same for Stevie May before that.
“Alex would be very capable of going out. He would need to go to a club where he’s going to get played.”