REFLECTING on the first quarter of the season just completed and looking ahead to the next, St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes believes he has every right to be optimistic.

It is certainly indisputable that the outlook is much brighter at the beginning of this international break for the Perth boss than it was at the last.

McInnes admitted, “We’re delighted to be just four points off the lead, considering where we were a month ago. I’d definitely have taken this then.

“Having said that, the first quarter doesn’t always give a true reflection on who will be front runners. It’s normally about Christmas time before you can take a reading from the top of the table.

“The players deserve a lot of credit for getting the points on board (10 out of a possible 12), and they’ve worked hard for every one of them. We’ve been industrious and hard working and I’ll take that all day long.

“There’s a steeliness about the the team now which I’m happy about. We’re difficult to play against and I know that there’s more to come on the creative side of things, even though we’re still scoring goals.”

He added, “It will be another important period coming up after the break. The focus is already on the Livingston game in a fortnight.

“It’s pleasing that our squad has proved strong enough given the injuries we’ve had. I can’t imagine that situation could get any worse.”

Kevin James, Jody Morris, Martin Hardie and Steven Anderson could all be available by the time the season resumes but hamstring injury victim Collin Samuel could be out for slightly longer.

McInnes, meanwhile, pointed out that the re-emergence of Kevin Moon has been an unexpected bonus.

He explained, “Mooner didn’t have a pre-season and was so far behind in terms of general fitness, but he’s surprised us all.

“I thought it would take about six to eight weeks to get his fitness back but he’s already back to where he was last season.

“It’s important we don’t expect too much of him, but he’s certainly made a big impact in the two games he’s come on.”

Moon admitted himself that his comeback into the first team has arrived quicker than even he could have hoped.

He said, “It’s been a really frustrating time for me. I was expecting to come back for pre-season and push for a place in the first team, but to be stopped from doing that by groin injuries was really disappointing.

“I’m just delighted to be back now. Hopefully, that’s all the injuries behind me.

“I didn’t expect to get back in so quickly, but I’ve been working hard. Now I’m looking to take the chance that I’ve been given.

“I’d played in a couple of bounce games and reserve games before the Dundee match but I didn’t expect to be back in the first team.

“When I saw the players the manager signed in the summer I always knew I would have to be patient to get my chance this season and wait for an opportunity to get game time.

“The chance has come a lot faster than I thought. It’s been unfortunate for the likes of Jody to be out injured but it’s up to me to take my chance.”

Moon and his Saints team-mates had no great desire for the break that is now upon them.

He commented, “The difference in the dressing room from a few weeks ago is night and day. It’s amazing what a couple of wins can do.

“Confidence is really high now and the boys can’t wait for the Livingston match.

“The change in fortunes has been down to pure, hard work. Everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“Hopefully, now we can kick on after the international break. We’ve cut out the mistakes at the back and, with the quality of players we have in the team, we’ll always score goals. I’m sure there’s more to come.”

A foreign trialist is still at McDiarmid and will be assessed in a bounce game soon.