By Graeme Dey and Ian Roache

ST JOHNSTONE number two Sandy Stewart has told his side to turn up the heat on leaders Gretna.

With the Raydale Park outfit being idle this weekend, Saints will close the gap at the top to just four points if they beat Dundee on Sunday.

And that’s a challenge Stewart admits they have to rise to.

“The way we are looking at it, this is an opportunity to put added pressure on Gretna,’’ he said.

“We’ve had chances before and not taken them. This time we have to.

“Before we meet Gretna on April 7 we’ve also got Livingston to play while they have Partick and Airdrie.

“We want to get as close to them as possible before then and the fact Thistle and Airdrie both have something to play for could help us.

“Having said that, neither Dundee nor Livingston represent easy games for ourselves.

“That’s the thing about this division—everyone is either going for the league, trying to finish as far up the table as they can, wanting to avoid getting dragged into the dogfight or battling relegation.

“There’s not one team that’s put the tools away for the season.’’

The Saints’ playing staff are off until Thursday after boss Owen Coyle decided rest was in order following a demanding fixture schedule.

“After playing six games in 16 days it was appropriate to give the lads a few days off to recharge the batteries,” said Stewart.

Meanwhile, if St Johnstone’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic goes to a replay the match will take place back at Hampden on Wednesday, April 25.