Boyhood St Johnstone fan David Wotherspoon couldn’t think of a better way to clinch their top six place than by defeating local rivals Dundee, nor a better game to end his goal-scoring drought.
For the third game in a row Saints know that a win will secure their spot above the Premiership split line, as has become their habit over the last three seasons.
A big crowd is expected at McDiarmid Park for a match that affects the Dark Blues’ own top half hopes.
Local lad Wotherspoon knows better than most what the fixture means to Perth fans, even without the extra significance attached to today’s fixture.
“I’ll have friends and family telling me to get right into it this weekend,” he said.
“We lost at home to them earlier in the season and drew at their place. So we haven’t beaten Dundee this season. We’ll be looking to put that right.
“We’ve got to be up for it.
“It could be a great day. Our aim all along has been to make the top six and to get there by beating Dundee would be brilliant
“There’s no specific derby games that stick in my mind from when I was younger, but as a local boy it would be a perfect way to get into the top six.
“And a goal would be nice too. I couldn’t think of a better way to break my duck for the season.”
Now is not the time for the Saints players to dwell on the chances that have passed to put the top six thing to bed.
“It’s a bit frustrating that we haven’t done it yet,” Wotherspoon admitted.
“It’s been in our hands for a couple of weeks.
“It hasn’t happened but we’ve still got one more chance and this is now the most important match of the season.
“Our form hasn’t been the best since the Celtic game to be honest.
“It didn’t feel like we were going to concede against Ross County, but we weren’t at our best.
“Against Hamilton we started poorly. Partick Thistle was a terrible game. It came back against St Mirren, but we’ve definitely got an extra gear to find.
“We know we can perform when it matters most and hopefully we’ll bring our best game on Saturday and get the win we need.”
It might not be settled this weekend, but whoever makes the cut will have a realistic chance of getting into Europe next season as a result of Dundee United’s form slump.
“If we can secure the top six place then we can for it,” the former Hibs man pointed out.
“The table’s so tight that if you do make it, that last place because Celtic and Inverness are in with a good chance of winning the cup.
“Most important is the three points this weekend though.”
Wotherspoon took the opportunity to check out today’s opponents in action on the television in midweek.
“It was a chance to see how they play,” he said.
“They seem to be full of confidence at the moment and that will have been boosted by beating Dundee United. Most of their players are back from injury and it’s a strong squad.
“But if we’re on our day I think we’ll win.
“We’ll focus on how we perform and let the match take care of itself.”
Murray Davidson is an injury doubt, but manager Tommy Wright has everybody else available.