May sets sights on Scots cap
STEVIE MAY admits he has set his sights on a full Scotland cap next month after taking St Johnstone to their first major final. The striker’s double against Aberdeen turned last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final on its head and brought his goal tally for the season to 25.
Saints now have a date with destiny against Dundee United at Celtic Park on May 17 as they seek to lift the first trophy in their 130-year history.
But their man of the moment hopes the season of his dreams can continue beyond that point by being called into Gordon Strachan’s squad to face Nigeria at Craven Cottage on May 28.
‘Obviously, I can’t just expect it, but I’d love to get called up,’ said the 21-year-old. ‘It’s out of my hands and I’ll need to play well and see what comes of it.
‘I’d like to think my goal tally will help. But I have an Under-21 qualifier coming up at the end of May against Holland.
‘That’s a massive game in terms of that campaign and one we need points from. That’s going to be in my thoughts after the Scottish Cup Final.
‘That (the Cup and a cap) would be nice — just before the holidays, that would be perfect. It would be a good start to the summer.’
A nominee for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award, May admits he is open-minded about the possibility of staying at the club beyond his current deal, which expires in 2015. Manager Tommy Wright this week revealed the Perth club were keen to extend his contract — a matter the player appears to be interested in.
‘I’ll obviously listen to whatever they say,’ he added. ‘I’ve got a lot of time for everyone at the club.
‘They took me on as a young boy and I’ve supported them all my life.
‘I haven’t spoken to them yet, but it sounds as if they want to speak to me soon and I’m happy to meet and talk.’
Asked why skipper Dave Mackay has said he believed he would leave in the summer, May retorted: ‘I don’t know what he was going on about. I think he was speaking in the euphoria of a good win.
‘I’m just concentrating on winning games for St Johnstone, scoring goals and nothing else.
‘We have the Cup Final to look forward to, as well.’
May might well have left Saints in January but his club rebuffed interest from Peterborough. The player insists, however, that he was entirely comfortable remaining where he was.
‘For me, it doesn’t matter what l evel you are playing at — as long as you’re playing you will improve and I was happy to stay at St Johnstone,’ he said.
‘There were never any serious discussions. I was happy where I was and if I’d left and not played then I wouldn’t have developed. At my age, it’s important that I’m playing every week.
‘The reassurance I needed was that I was going to get a chance and then it was up to me to take it.
‘It would be justified, certainly, if we could go on to win the Scottish Cup.’
Standing in May’s way at Celtic Park will be three of his fellow nominees, with Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Gauld and Andy Robertson all on the shortlist for the Young Player of the Year award.
Like the St Johnstone player, they, too, have been the subject of much transfer speculation this season following some impressive displays for Dundee United and one can be sure that the scouts will be l i ning up at Parkhead next month.
Gauld has already expressed his desire to one day sample La Liga but team-mate Armstrong revealed yesterday that he has a rather more Germanic leaning.
‘When I was younger, I always liked watching the Premier League with all the big players in there,’ he said. ‘ But we played a couple of German teams in pre-season and I really liked their style of play.
‘Gauldy said he liked the Spanish league but I definitely prefer the German.
‘I think it’s a very good league to be involved in, so that’s something I’d maybe aspire to be a part of.
‘In any walk of life, you’d have to change your situation to move anywhere, so being able to adapt is important as a footballer.
‘I like to travel and go away to different places. I went to Berlin recently — we’ll call it a sightseeing trip — and it was nice.
‘I think the big crowds and the big stadiums they have in Germany are fantastic. It seems like a very professional league. I think there are a good few leagues like that.’
Again like May, however, the Tannadice starlets appear in no rush to depart the Scottish scene.
‘We’re all enjoying our football just now,’ Armstrong added. ‘I think that shows on the pitch. Until we’re told otherwise, we’ll continue doing that.
‘This season, it’s gone very well. I think the philosophy we have at the club suits us — passing and moving and keeping the ball on the deck.
‘ We’re just enjoying i t. Andy Robertson likes to go on these runs down the left, Gauldy and I like to get on the ball and play in those little pockets. The style of game we play definitely benefits us.
‘ The best way to learn is by playing games and you get plenty at United.
‘We feel part of something that’s quite special and reaching a cup final is very special for all of us.’